title: Allergy-related outcomes in relation to serum IgE: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2006 was the first population-based study to investigate levels of serum total and allergen-specific IgE in the general US population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We estimated the prevalence of allergy-related outcomes and examined relationships between serum IgE levels and these outcomes in a representative sample of the US population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data for this cross-sectional analysis were obtained from NHANES 2005-2006. Study subjects aged 6 years and older (n = 8086) had blood taken for measurement of total IgE and 19 specific IgE levels against common aeroallergens, including Alternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Bermuda grass, birch, oak, ragweed, Russian thistle, rye grass, cat dander, cockroach, dog dander, dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus), mouse and rat urine proteins, and selected foods (egg white, cow's milk, peanut, and shrimp). Serum samples were analyzed for total and allergen-specific IgE by using the Pharmacia CAP System. Information on allergy-related outcomes and demographics was collected by questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In NHANES 2005-2006, 6.6% reported current hay fever, and 23.5% had current allergies. Allergy-related outcomes increased with increasing total IgE levels (adjusted odds ratios for a 10-fold increase in total IgE level of 1.86 [95% CI, 1.44-2.41] for hay fever and 1.64 [95% CI, 1.41-1.91] for allergies). Increased levels of plant-, pet-, and mold-specific IgE contributed independently to allergy-related symptoms. The greatest increase in odds was observed for hay fever and plant-specific IgE (adjusted odds ratio, 4.75; 95% CI, 3.83-5.88).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the US population self-reported allergy symptoms are most consistently associated with increased levels of plant-, pet-, and mold-specific IgE.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
authors.forename: Päivi M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Salo
authors.forename: Agustin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Calatroni
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Gergen
authors.forename: Jane A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hoppin
authors.forename: Michelle L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Sever
authors.forename: Renee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jaramillo
authors.forename: Samuel J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Arbes
authors.forename: Darryl C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Zeldin
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D002415:Cats; D002417:Cattle; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D057805:Pets / Q000276:immunology; D010944:Plants / Q000276:immunology; D015995:Prevalence; D051381:Rats; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E