Association between alcohol consumption and aeroallergen sensitization in Danish adults.
BACKGROUND
It has been proposed that alcohol consumption may be one of the lifestyle factors associated with a westernized, urban, and affluent lifestyle contributing to the rise in atopic disease.


OBJECTIVE
The aim was to investigate the association between alcohol consumption and atopy (aeroallergen sensitization).


METHODS
In 1982, a population-based cross-sectional study of 3608 Danes (79% of the invited), aged 30, 40, 50, and 60 years, was carried out. Information on alcohol consumption was obtained by a questionnaire. Aeroallergen sensitization was defined as a positive test for the detection of specific IgE against a panel of 19 common inhalant allergens in stored serum samples. A total of 3317 subjects with complete information on all variables were included in the analyses.


RESULTS
We found a statistically significant association between alcohol consumption and aeroallergen sensitization (independent of the type of alcoholic drink consumed). This association appeared to relate only to those who consumed more than 8 drinks/week. After adjustment for confounders this association was only statistically significant for those who consumed 15-21 drinks/week (adjusted odds ratio 1.8, 95% confidence interval 1.2-2.8).


CONCLUSIONS
In this adult general population, self-reported alcohol consumption was positively associated with aeroallergen sensitization.
Linneberg
A
A
Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Glostrup University Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark. alli@glostruphosp.kbhamt.dk
Hertzum
I
I
Husemoen
L L N
LL
Johansen
N
N
Jørgensen
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D018570:Risk Assessment
D000485:Allergens