title: The clinical differences of asthma in patients with molds allergy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bronchial asthma is an increasing problem worldwide. The course of bronchial asthma is dependent on the type of inducing allergens. The differences between the clinical features of asthma in patients with monovalent allergies to molds and with other allergies were explored.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomly selected 1910 patients (924 women and 986 men) between 18-86 years in age were analyzed according to type of allergy and asthma. The diagnosis of asthma was confirmed on the basis of GINA criteria, physical examination and spirometry. Allergy diagnosis was confirmed on the basis of medical history, a positive skin prick test and the measurement of serum-specific IgE to inhalant allergens, using an extended profile of mold allergens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with monovalent allergies to molds (4% of analyzed group) had significantly more frequent diagnoses of asthma than patients in the other group (53% vs. 27.1-32.4%, p < 0.05). Patients with allergies to Alternaria alternata had an odds ratio of 2.11 (95%CI: 1.86-2.32) for receiving a diagnosis of bronchial asthma. They had less control over their asthma, which was more severe compared to patients with other allergies. Patients with asthma and allergies to mold had significantly more frequent exacerbation of asthma requiring systemic corticosteroids and/or hospitalization. They used a significantly greater mean daily dose of inhaled steroids compared to other patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with monovalent IgE allergies to molds are at a higher risk for asthma than patients with other allergies. Their asthma is often more intense and less controlled compared to that of patients with other types of allergies.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kołodziejczyk
authors.affiliation: Clinical Department of Internal Medicine, Dermatology and Allergology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland. andrzejbozek@o2.pl.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bożek
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jarząb
authors.forename: Radosław
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gawlik
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000528:Alternaria / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000276:immunology*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013147:Spirometry; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
keywords: allergy; asthma; molds