title: Changes in skin test reactivity among adults with atopic disease: a 3-year prospective study.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Aslund
authors.forename: Simon Francis
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Thomsen
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mølgaard
authors.forename: Hendrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nolte
authors.forename: Vibeke
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Backer
mesh_terms: 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