title: Association of atopy to asthma severity and medication use in children.
abstract: The importance of aeroallergens as triggers for asthma is well recognized, but the relationship between asthma severity and atopic profiles in childhood has not been elucidated. This study assessed the relationship of allergen sensitization to asthma severity in a study of 114 asthmatic children followed for 8 weeks in three Southern California areas. Increased controller medication and beta-agonist use were positively associated with number of positive skin tests and allergy to mold and pollens. Mold was associated with increased asthma symptoms. Degree of atopy and reactivity to mold and pollens plays a significant role in asthma severity in asthmatic children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University Children's Hospital, University of California, Irvine, USA. cschwind@uci.edu
authors.forename: Christina D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Schwindt
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tjoa
authors.forename: Joshua N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Floro
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McLaren
authors.forename: Ralph J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Delfino
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D002415:Cats / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D004391:Dust