title: The influence of sensitisation to pollens and moulds on seasonal variations in asthma attacks.
abstract: No large study has described the seasonal variation in asthma attacks in population-based asthmatics in whom sensitisation to allergen has been measured. 2,637 young adults with asthma living in 15 countries reported the months in which they usually had attacks of asthma and had skin-prick tests performed. Differences in seasonal patterns by sensitisation status were assessed using generalised estimating equations. Most young adults with asthma reported periods of the year when their asthma attacks were more common (range: 47% in Sweden to 86% in Spain). Seasonal variation in asthma was not modified by sensitisation to house dust mite or cat allergens. Asthmatics sensitised to grass, birch and Alternaria allergens had different seasonal patterns to those not sensitised to each allergen, with some geographical variation. In southern Europe, those sensitised to grass allergens were more likely to report attacks occurred in spring or summer than in winter (OR March/April 2.60, 95% CI 1.70-3.97; OR May/June 4.43, 95% CI 2.34-8.39) and smaller later peaks were observed in northern Europe (OR May/June 1.25, 95% CI 0.60-2.64; OR July/August 1.66, 95% CI 0.89-3.10). Asthmatics reporting hay fever but who were not sensitised to grass showed no seasonal variations. Seasonal variations in asthma attacks in young adults are common and are different depending on sensitisation to outdoor, but not indoor, allergens.
authors.affiliation: National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Canova
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heinrich
authors.forename: Josep Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Anto
authors.forename: Benedicte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Leynaert
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Nino
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kuenzli
authors.forename: Jan-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Zock
authors.forename: Christer
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Janson
authors.forename: Isa
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Cerveri
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Marco
authors.forename: Kjell
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Toren
authors.forename: Thorarinn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gislason
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nowak
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pin
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wjst
authors.forename: Jure
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Manfreda
authors.forename: Cecilie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Svanes
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crane
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abramson
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burr
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Burney
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jarvis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000528:Alternaria / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D029662:Betula / Q000276:immunology; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005658:Fungi / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D006109:Poaceae / Q000276:immunology; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology; D012306:Risk; D012621:Seasons; D012882:Skin Tests; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E