Aero-Allergen Sensitization in the General Population: Longitudinal Analyses of the LEAD (Lung Heart Social Body) Study

BACKGROUND: Monitoring of sensitization may become a non-invasive marker of impaired epithelial barrier function related to changing environmental conditions. OBJECTIVE: To longitudinally evaluate the prevalence and associated factors for positive skin prick tests (SPT) in a general population cohort. METHODS: Baseline and 4-year follow-up data from the longitudinal LEAD study are used for the current analyses. Risk factors for SPT were analyzed by multivariate binary logistic regression analyses, including residence (urban/rural), sex, socioeconomic status (SES), allergic and/or respiratory diseases, lung function testing, blood eosinophils, body composition, lifestyle habits, family history, pets in household, and exposure to tobacco smoke in childhood/adolescence (6–18 years) and adulthood (≥19 years). RESULTS: In total, 1439 children/adolescents and 9844 adults with valid SPTs were included in these analyses. The prevalence of sensitization at baseline was 37.6% and was higher in males in every age group, except 10–<15 years. Individuals with doctor´s diagnosed allergy, asthma or parental allergy were more likely to have a positive SPT; in adulthood, sensitization was more common in those with a high SES. A lower occurrence of sensitization was associated with the presence of a dog in the household in childhood/adolescence and with smoking in adulthood. The prevalence and intensity (number of positive SPT reactions) increased after a 4-year follow-up, especially in children/adolescents. CONCLUSION: Sensitization is common in the general Austrian population and more likely in males than females. Longitudinal monitoring of sensitization in children/adolescents may identify environmental triggers related to changes in urbanization, industrialization and domestic lifestyle. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01727518.