engleski

Relationship between sensitization of the respiratory system and skin in an adult population of Zagreb (Croatia)

Abstract Sensitization of the respiratory system and skin was studied in a random sample of 351 subjects, 166 women (mean age 28, 0ą6, 4) and men (mean age 26, 3ą5, 4). In all subjects medical history was recorded by questionnaire, skin test were performed by prick (PT) and patch (ET) method and serum level of total IgE was determined by PRIST-test (Pharmacia Diagnostic, Uppsala). PT was done with common inhalatory alergens (Institute of Immunology, Zagreb) and urtica mean diameter (D+d/2) 3 mm or more was considered a positive reaction (PT+). Et was done with the European standard series (ALK-Epipharm, Linz) and erythema and/or oedema with vesicles was considered normal. PT+ and/or ET+ to one or more allergens wa found in 48, 8% women and 49, 2% men. Prevalence of ET+ was higher in women than in men (30, 7%:18, 4% ; P<0, 01). Prevalence of PT+ wa higher in men than in women (38, 4%:25, 3% ; P<0, 01). PT+ and ET+ was found in 7, 2% women and 7, 4% men. Respiratory symptoms were more frequent in PT+ than in PT- subjects (50, 0%:20, 3% ; P<0, 001) and skin symptoms in ET+ than in ET- subjects (65, 0%: 19, 8 ; P<0, 001) only in women. Only in men with increased IgE, respiratory symptoms were more frequent than in men with normal IgE (52, 3%:31, 2% ; P<0, 05). We conclude that Et and PT are better indicators of skin and respiratory symptoms in women. Increased IgE is a better indicator of respiratory symptoms in men. Sensitization of skin is more frequent in women and sensitization of the respiratory system in men, indicating that there are gender differences in dominant immunological mechanism responsible for sensitization. There were no gender differences in cosensitization of respiratory system and skin.

prick test; patch test; total IgE; inhalatory allergens; standard contact allergens; respiratory symptoms; skin symptoms

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