title: Allergy to mites: relation to lung function and airway hyperresponsiveness.
abstract: Exposure to house-dust-mite allergens is an important cause of allergic reactions in sensitized patients. In community-based studies, sensitization to house-dust mites, as ascertained by a positive skin test or by an increased allergen-specific IgE level in serum, is associated with both diminished lung function and enhanced airway hyperresponsiveness. Sensitization to house-dust mites is an independent risk factor for the development of asthma, especially in areas which favor the growth of house-dust mites. In studies with asthmatic patients, however, the relationship between sensitization to mites and lung function or airway hyperresponsiveness is less clear. The selection of asthmatic individuals (with sensitization to other inhalant allergens) and the use of medication such as inhaled steroids may interfere with the demonstration of a possible association between mite allergy and lung function or airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatic patients.
authors: Department of Allergology, Clinic for Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands. s.van.der.heide@int.azg.nl
authors: S
authors: S
authors: van der Heide
authors: A E
authors: AE
authors: Dubois
authors: H F
authors: HF
authors: Kauffman
authors: J G
authors: JG
authors: de Monchy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity; D002648:Child; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D004391:Dust