THE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SENSITISATION TO INDOOR AEROALLERGENS AND
MILD-TO-MODERATE ASTHMA IN HONG KONG CHINESE CHILDREN
Leung TF, Lam CWK*, Li
AM, Wong GWK, Chan IHS*, Tang NLS*
Departments
of Paediatrics and *Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong
Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Objective: The aims of this
case-control study are to investigate the spectrum of allergen
sensitisation and the correlation between asthma control and serum
concentrations of allergen-specific IgE antibodies.
Methods: Asthmatic children
underwent a standardised questionnaire on their asthma control, skin prick
tests for allergen sensitisation and spirometric evaluation. Peripheral
blood was collected from patients and controls for serum levels of specific
IgE to six common aeroallergens.
Results: One hundred and seventy
asthmatics (aged 9.8 ± 3.7 years) and 57
age-matched control subjects were enrolled. The median FEV1 in
our patients was 98%, whereas serum logarithmic total IgE concentrations in
patients and controls were 2.57 and 2.09 respectively (P<0.0001). Hyperimmunoglobulinaemia E and sensitisation to
house dust mite (HDM) and cat dander were risk factors for the development
of asthma. In addition, frequency of acute asthma attacks, unscheduled
physician visits and school absences as well as percent FEV1 on
spirometry correlated significantly with sensitisation to HDM, pets and
cockroaches.
Conclusion: Sensitisation to indoor
aeroallergens is a risk factor for the development and severity of asthma
in Chinese children in Hong Kong.