[Local characteristic of allergic diseases: adult asthma in the central area of Tokyo].
In order to know the characteristic of urban asthma, were analyzed patient records in our clinic located in the central area of Tokyo. Eighty four adult patients who were living in walking distance with asthma started in this area, visited our clinic in October 1991. Among them 57 (68%) were atopic type. 13 (15%) mixed type, and 14 (17%) infectious type. Even among 25 patients with late onset asthma over 40 year of age, there were 8 atopic type and 5 mixed type, and 11 were positive against house dust by RAST and/or skin test. Atopic type seems to be unusually frequent in urban asthma. It reminds us of the fact that Japanese cedar pollinosis is more frequent in urban area than the mountain area with much more cedar trees. These might suggest important points to be studied, not only the adjuvant effect but also some accelerating effect for allergic diseases in the urban environment.
Matsumura
Y
Y
Matsumura Clinic.
Matsumura
M
M
Ohta
K
K
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D014041:Tokyo / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health