Journal
ANNALS OF ALLERGY ASTHMA & IMMUNOLOGY
Volume 102, Issue 6, Pages 487-494Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC
DOI: 10.1016/S1081-1206(10)60122-6
Keywords
-
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Background: The prevalence of allergic airway diseases in childhood is higher in boys than in girls but switches toward a female predominance in adolescents and adults. The sex-specific prevalence of allergic sensitization to 1 of the most common allergens worldwide, house dust mite (HDM), has not been examined systematically by age group and species. Objective: To systematically review the literature to examine sex-specific differences in the prevalence of allergic sensitization to HDM. Methods: On the basis of a systematic MEDLINE search for population-based Studies published between 1990 and 2007, we conducted meta-analyses of male to female ratios for sensitization to 2 different species of HDMs (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae) separately for children and adults. Results: We included data from 7,822 children and 18,522 adults from 15 studies. The prevalence of sensitization to D pteronyssinus was significantly higher in boys vs girls (male to female ratio, 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-1.71) and in men vs women (male to female ratio, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.22-1.61). For sensitization to D farinae, the significant male predominance in adults was even more pronounced (male to female ratio, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.37-2.79), but there were no sex-specific differences in children (male to female ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.56-1.46). Conclusions: In adults, the male predominance in sensitization to HDM seems to be contrary to the prevalence of allergic airway symptoms, which has a female predominance. The male predominance is even higher in allergic sensitization to D farinae than to D pteronyssinus. Further research is necessary regarding sex-specific differences in allergy and asthma. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2009; 102:487-494.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available