The Impact of Sex and Age on the Prevalence of Clinically Relevant Sensitization and Asymptomatic Sensitization in the General Population

Abstract

The objective of our study was to evaluate the impact of sex and age on the prevalence of sensitization to inhalant allergens. The study was performed as a part of Polish Epidemiology of Allergic Diseases study, and data concerning citizens of Wroclaw were analyzed. The participants were divided into three age groups (6–7, 13–14, and 20–44 years) with a subdivision according to sex. We randomly selected 1409 individuals, 439 people complied; the complete set of tests was performed on 421 of them. We found that 37.7 % of the study population demonstrated sensitization to at least one of the allergens tested. Positive skin tests were found more frequently in males than in females (p = 0.003); among 6–7-year-old children, the sensitization was independent of sex (p = 0.26), while in two other groups, it was higher in males (p = 0.002 and p = 0.03, respectively). Clinically asymptomatic sensitization (AS) was found more often in females than in males (p = 0.04). The higher rate of AS in women was observed only in the two younger age groups, while in the 20–44-year-old group AS did not differ between the sexes (p = 0.72). Female sex hormones may contribute to a later change in the nature of sensitization from clinically asymptomatic to symptomatic. Further studies are needed to confirm the results of our study.

Sex difference in IgE sensitization associated with alcohol consumption in the general population

“…Female sex hormones stimulate allergic reactions, while little is known about the effects of androgens on the immune system 18,44 . However, the mechanisms underlying sex differences in allergic reactions are poorly understood 44 .…”

“…Cross-cultural comparisons generally report that the biological mechanisms underpinning the sex-specific differences in the effects of alcohol and related problems are independent of cross-country and cross-generational influences 17 . Also, sex differences in IgE sensitization to aeroallergens have been reported in the general population 18 . However, no study has examined sex differences in the association of alcohol drinking with the serum IgE level.…”

IgE-dependent sensitization to tropho- and aeroallergens with regard to age, sex and birth season of children and adolescents living in the north-eastern region of Poland

“…Previous epidemiological studies considering the effects of age, sex and season at birth on the allergic sensitization process in children are rather scarce [5,[11][12][13].…”

Validity and repeatability of the Pediatric Allergy Questionnaire for Athletes (AQUAped) for the screening of atopy

“…3 Notably, sensitization to inhalant allergens can be detected even in subjects without symptoms. 4 Moreover, atopy has been significantly associated with bronchial hyper-reactivity and asthma in elite athletes, with increasing effect sizes associated with an increasing number of positive skin test reactions to inhalant allergens. 5,6 Since allergic diseases can have serious consequences on health, a screening tool for athletes may help with the early identification of atopy, which may burden the physical performances.…”

“…Notably, sensitization to inhalant allergens can be detected even in subjects without symptoms 4 . Moreover, atopy has been significantly associated with bronchial hyper‐reactivity and asthma in elite athletes, with increasing effect sizes associated with an increasing number of positive skin test reactions to inhalant allergens 5,6 .…”