Epidemiology of acute asthma: IgE antibodies to common inhalant allergens as a risk factor for emergency room visits

doi:10.1016/0091-6749(89)90100-0

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Volume 83, Issue 5, May 1989, Pages 875-882

https://doi.org/10.1016/0091-6749(89)90100-0 Get rights and content

Abstract

In recent years the morbidity and mortality of asthma has increased, although the etiology is still poorly understood. Most patients with asthma suffer acute attacks that are commonly treated in hospital emergency rooms (ER). In the present study, asthma in adults was studied with acute attacks as a marker for the disease; 102 patients first observed at a university hospital ER with acute airway obstruction were compared to 118 patients observed at the same ER with any diagnosis other than shortness of breath to evaluate allergy as a risk factor for asthma in adults. Sera were assayed for IgE antibody (Ab) to dust mites, cockroach, cat dander, and grass and ragweed pollen. The results demonstrate that in adults younger than 50 years of age, the prevalence of IgE Abs was fourfold greater among subjects with asthma than among control subjects ( $4667$ versus $1281$ ; odds ratio, 10.1; 95% confidence interval, 4.9 to 20.7). The population attributable risk for the presence of IgE Ab to one of the five allergens was >50%. Among individuals older than 50 years of age, the prevalence of serum IgE Abs was not significantly increased among patients with acute airway obstruction. In the whole group, the prevalence of IgE Abs to different allergens demonstrated significant seasonal and socioeconomic differences, suggesting that the associated risk is related to exposure to those allergens. The results establish that, with acute attacks of asthma as a marker for adult asthma, the presence of serum IgE Abs to common inhalant allergens is a major risk factor. The results imply that analysis of risk factors, both immediate hypersensitivity and exposure to allergens, should be a routine part of the management of adult asthma.

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Citation Excerpt :
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^☆: Supported by National Institutes of Health Grant A120565, and by a grant from the American Lung Association of Virginia.

^∗: Recipient of Public Health Service National Research Service Award A107255.

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Original articleEpidemiology of acute asthma: IgE antibodies to common inhalant allergens as a risk factor for emergency room visits☆

Abstract

J Allergy Clin Immunol

J Allergy Clin Immunol

J Allergy Clin Immunol

J Allergy Clin Immunol

J Allergy Clin Immunol

J Allergy Clin Immunol

J Allergy Clin Immunol

J Allergy Clin Immunol

Lancet

J Allergy Clin Immunol

J Allergy Clin Immunol

Death due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and allied conditions

MMWR

Provoking factors in bronchial asthma

Arch Intern Med

Increased response of asthmatic subjects to methacholine after influenza vaccine

J Allergy Clin immunol

Fate of occupational asthma: a follow-up study of patients with occupational asthma due to western red cedar (Thija Plicata)

Am Rev Respir Dis

Review of therapeutic modalities in asthma

Asthma

Clinical significance of skin reactions to mite extracts in children with asthma

Br Med J

Original article
Epidemiology of acute asthma: IgE antibodies to common inhalant allergens as a risk factor for emergency room visits☆