title: Changes in symptoms of asthma and rhinitis by sensitization status over ten years in a cohort of young Chilean adults.
abstract: We investigated the net changes in prevalence of symptoms of asthma and rhinitis over 10 years in a cohort of young by baseline sensitization status.
  
  
  
  One thousand one hundred ninety three Chilean adults subjects aged 22-28 living in a semi-rural area of central Chile answered a lifestyle and the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) questionnaires. Bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR) and skin prick test (SPT) to eight allergens were measured at baseline in 2001. Ten years later, 772 participants completed the questionnaires again. Estimates of adjusted net changes in prevalence of symptoms by sensitization status at baseline and association between sensitization status at baseline and respiratory symptoms ten years later were assessed.
  
  
  
  A quarter of the participants were sensitized to at least one allergen in 2001. Prevalence of wheeze had a net change per year of -0.37 % (95 % Confidence Interval -0.71 to 0.02 %; p = 0.067). Self-reported nasal allergies in the last 12 months increased by 0.83 % per year (95 % CI 0.49 to 1.17 %; p < 0.001). Those sensitized to either cat fur (OR 1.76; CI 1.01 to 3.05), cockroach, (OR 2.09; 1.13 to 3.86) blend of grass and pollens (1.78; 95 % CI 1.08 to 2.92), or weeds (OR 1.77; 95 % CI 1.01 to 3.12) in 2001 were more likely to have wheeze in the last 12 months 10 years later.
  
  
  
  Symptoms of asthma remained stable or slightly changed over 10 years in adults, whilst rhinitis and nasal allergies greatly increased. Being sensitized to at least one allergen is a risk factor for persistent symptoms of asthma and rhinitis, but not for determining net changes of symptoms over time. The underlying causes for the contrasting trends between asthma and nasal allergy are unknown.
authors: Respiratory Epidemiology, Occupational Medicine, and Public Health Group, National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Emmanuel Kaye Building, Manresa Road, London, SW3 6LR, UK. v.garcialarsen@imperial.ac.uk.
authors: Vanessa
authors: V
authors: Garcia-Larsen
authors: Respiratory Epidemiology, Occupational Medicine, and Public Health Group, National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Emmanuel Kaye Building, Manresa Road, London, SW3 6LR, UK.
authors: James F
authors: JF
authors: Potts
authors: Department of Medical Sciences "M Aresu", University of Cagliari, Asse Didattico "E1" - Cittadella Universitaria, Monserrato, Cagliari, 09042, Italy.
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Del Giacco
authors: Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Independencia 1027, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Bustos
authors: Institute of Bio-Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Independencia 1027, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Patricia V
authors: PV
authors: Diaz
authors: Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Independencia 1027, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Hugo
authors: H
authors: Amigo
authors: Institute of Bio-Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Independencia 1027, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Manuel
authors: M
authors: Oyarzun
authors: Department of Psychological Medicine, Weston Education Centre, King's College London, Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9RJ, UK.
authors: Roberto J
authors: RJ
authors: Rona
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002415:Cats; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D003058:Cockroaches / Q000276:immunology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012882:Skin Tests; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
keywords: Allergy; Asthma symptoms; Change; Cohort; South America; Young adults