Sex-specific differences in allergic sensitization to house dust mites: a meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of allergic airway diseases in childhood is higher in boys than in girls but switches toward a female predominance in adolescents and adults. The sex-specific prevalence of allergic sensitization to 1 of the most common allergens worldwide, house dust mite (HDM), has not been examined systematically by age group and species.


OBJECTIVE
To systematically review the literature to examine sex-specific differences in the prevalence of allergic sensitization to HDM.


METHODS
On the basis of a systematic MEDLINE search for population-based studies published between 1990 and 2007, we conducted meta-analyses of male to female ratios for sensitization to 2 different species of HDMs (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae) separately for children and adults.


RESULTS
We included data from 7,822 children and 18,522 adults from 15 studies. The prevalence of sensitization to D pteronyssinus was significantly higher in boys vs girls (male to female ratio, 1.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-1.71) and in men vs women (male to female ratio, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.22-1.61). For sensitization to D farinae, the significant male predominance in adults was even more pronounced (male to female ratio, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.37-2.79), but there were no sex-specific differences in children (male to female ratio, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.56-1.46).


CONCLUSIONS
In adults, the male predominance in sensitization to HDM seems to be contrary to the prevalence of allergic airway symptoms, which has a female predominance. The male predominance is even higher in allergic sensitization to D farinae than to D pteronyssinus. Further research is necessary regarding sex-specific differences in allergy and asthma.
Goldhahn
Klaus
K
Institute for Social Medicine, Epidemiology, and Health Economics, Charité University Medical Center, Berlin, Germany.
Bockelbrink
Angelina
A
Nocon
Marc
M
Almqvist
Catarina
C
DunnGalvin
Audrey
A
Willich
Stefan N
SN
Keil
Thomas
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005681:Gabon / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D039981:Pyroglyphidae / Q000276:immunology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology