title: What have studies of non-industrialized countries told us about the cause of allergic disease?
abstract: The increase in allergic diseases that was observed in countries that had experienced rapid economic growth since the mid-20th century initiated a search for environmental exposures that may explain these phenomena that continues to the present day. Societies that are in the earlier stages of the process of industrialization provide an opportunity to compare the initial stages of economic development and the lifestyle changes that may accompany this, with other communities whose way of life may not have changed appreciably for centuries. These studies have consistently demonstrated higher levels of allergic disease in the relatively affluent populations compared with those who maintain a more traditional lifestyle. Environmental changes that have emerged from these studies that may modify the risk of allergic disease include microbial exposures including parasite infection, pollution, diet and obesity. In addition, food and drug allergies represent a neglected area of research in these countries that may be causing a relatively high burden of disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology and Public Health, Clinical Science Building, Nottingham City Hospital, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Fogarty
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D003906:Developing Countries; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors