title: Factors associated with allergen sensitizations in patients with asthma and/or rhinitis in China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Allergen sensitization is influenced by genetic and environmental factors; however, the factors related to sensitizations in patients with rhinitis and asthma in China are largely unknown. This study investigated the factors associated with allergen sensitizations  in patients with asthma and rhinitis in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey was performed in 6304 patients with asthma and/or rhinitis from four regions of China. Patients completed a standardized questionnaire related to respiratory and allergic symptoms, family history  of allergic diseases, smoking history, environmental exposure, and eating behaviors. They underwent skin-prick tests (SPTs) with 13 common aeroallergens. Blood samples were collected from 2268 of patients for specific IgE (sIgE) measurements against 16 common aeroallergens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with both asthma and rhinitis had higher prevalence of SPT and sIgE positivity to most allergens than those with asthma or rhinitis alone (p < 0.0001). Male gender, family history of allergic rhinitis, air-conditioner usage, sleeping on a mattress, and frequently eating meat  were associated with increased risk of SPT and sIgE positivity. Using air-conditioner and sleeping on a mattress were further found to be associated with sIgE positivity to mites and molds. However, increased age and fish, fruit, and raw vegetable intake decreased the risk of SPT and sIgE  positivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Family history of allergic rhinitis, male gender, using an air conditioner, sleeping on a mattress, and frequent meat consumption are risk factors for allergen sensitizations, whereas increased age and frequent fish, fruit, and raw vegetable consumption  may protect patients with asthma and/or rhinitis from developing sensitizations in China.
authors.affiliation: State Key laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Xiaoping
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Deyu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Guolin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Jinzhun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Changqing
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Spangfort
authors.forename: Xuxin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Nanshan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zhong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008461:Meat Products / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E