title: Geographical variation in the prevalence of sensitization to common aeroallergens in adults: the GA(2) LEN survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Geographical variation in the prevalence of sensitization to aeroallergens may reflect differences in exposure to risk factors such as having older siblings, being raised on a farm or other unidentified exposures.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We wanted to measure geographical variation in skin prick test positivity and assess whether it was explained by differences in family size and/or farm exposure. We also compared prevalence in younger and older subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Within the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2) LEN) survey, we measured the prevalence of skin prick positivity to a panel of allergens, and geometric mean serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE), in 3451 participants aged 18-75 years in 13 areas of Europe. Estimated prevalence was standardized to account for study design. We compared prevalence estimates in younger and older subjects and further adjusted for age, gender, smoking history, farm exposure, number of older siblings and body mass index (BMI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Skin prick test positivity to any one of the measured allergens varied within Europe from 31.4% to 52.9%. Prevalence of sensitization to single allergens also varied. Variation in serum total IgE was less marked. Younger participants had higher skin prick sensitivity prevalence, but not total IgE, than older participants. Geographical variation remained even after adjustment for confounders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Geographical variation in the prevalence of skin prick test positivity in Europe is unlikely to be explained by geographical variation in gender, age, smoking history, farm exposure, family size and BMI. Higher prevalence in younger, compared to older, adults may reflect cohort-associated increases in sensitization or the influence of ageing on immune or tissue responses.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Epidemiology and Public Health Group, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Newson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Ree
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Forsberg
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Janson
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lötvall
authors.forename: S-E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Dahlén
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Toskala
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Baelum
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Brożek
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kasper
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Kowalski
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Howarth
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Fokkens
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bachert
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Keil
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Krämer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bislimovska
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gjomarkaj
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Loureiro
authors.forename: P G J
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Burney
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jarvis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000485:Allergens / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D062486:Public Health Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
keywords: Global Allergy and Asthma European Network, Europe; geographical variation; prevalence; skin prick tests; total immunoglobulin E