Changes in skin test reactivity among adults with atopic disease: a 3-year prospective study.
BACKGROUND
Our knowledge about longitudinal predictors of atopy is limited.


OBJECTIVE
To describe changes in skin test reactivity during a 3-year period in a sample of adolescents and adults with atopic disease and to identify factors of importance for these changes.


METHODS
From a sample of 1,186 candidates, ranging in age from 14 to 44 years, who in a screening questionnaire reported symptoms suggestive of respiratory allergic disease, 344 individuals with a positive skin prick test (SPT) result concomitantly with asthma and/or rhinitis were clinically studied on 2 occasions, 3 years apart.


RESULTS
In total, 134 (39% of the study population) had a different SPT result at follow-up compared with baseline, based on a diagnostic criterion of 3 mm for a positive test result; 77 (22%) developed de novo sensitizations to 1 or more allergens, 45 (13%) had remission of 1 or more sensitizations, and 12 (4%) both gained and lost sensitizations. Female sex (odds ratio = 1.90 [1.02-3.57], P = .04) significantly predicted incidence of 1 or more sensitizations.


CONCLUSIONS
Four of 10 adults with atopic disease will have changes in SPT status during a 3-year period, and most will gain new sensitizations. Women with atopic disease are at increased risk of developing new sensitizations compared with men.
Aslund
Nina
N
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Thomsen
Simon Francis
SF
Mølgaard
Ellen
E
Nolte
Hendrik
H
Backer
Vibeke
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods*; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult