Presentation: Geographic Variations in the Patterns of Sensitization to Aeroallergens in Korean Adults: A Multi-Center Study ( World Allergy Congress)

Thursday, 15 October 2015

Hall D1 Foyer (Floor 3) (Coex Convention Center)

Mingyu Kang, MD , Internal Medicine, Subdivision of Allergy, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, South Korea

Mi Yeoung Kim, MD , Internal Medicine, Hospital, Busan, South Korea

Sujeong Kim, MD , Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea

Eun-Jung Jo, MD , Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, South Korea

Seoung-Eun Lee, MD , Internal Medicine, Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital, Yangsan, South Korea

Woo-Jung Song, MD , Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea

Sang Min Lee, MD, PhD , Division of Pulmonology and Allergy, Department of Internal Medicine, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, South Korea

Chansun Park, MD , Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, South Korea

Yoon-Seok Chang, MD, PhD , Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, South Korea

Jaechun Lee, MD, PhD , Internal Medicine, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, South Korea

Young-Koo Jee, MD , Department of Internal Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, South Korea

Inseon S Choi, MD, PhD , Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea

Kyung-up Min, MD, PhD , Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea

Sang-Heon Cho, MD, PhD , Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea

Background: Inhalant allergen sensitization is a major risk factor for allergic disease, which is largely influenced by living environments. Despite substantial geographic variations in allergen sensitization in the literature, comprehensive studies are still lacking in Korean adults. Objective: We aimed to investigate recent patterns of inhalant allergen sensitization among Korean adult patients with suspected history of respiratory allergy, and also examine the geographic variations of the sensitization profiles in Korea. Methods: From 2009 to 2014, a total of 34,289 patient records were retrieved for a retrospective analysis, from 12 referral allergist clinics in 9 different regions. Inclusion criteria were Korean adults (≥ 18 years old) who underwent inhalant allergen skin prick test for suspected history of respiratory allergy. Primary outcome was the detailed profile of inhalant allergen sensitization. Sensitization to allergens was defined by allergen-to-histamine wheal ratio ≥ 1. Demographic and clinical information, and residential area of participants were also collected. Regional sensitization profiles of individual allergens were calculated after adjusting age and sex. We meta-analyzed the regional sensitization profiles, and then estimated both overall atopy and individual allergen sensitization profiles in general. Geographic variations of sensitization between allergen groups were statistically compared by using Cochrane Q and I²-statistics. Results: Overall prevalence of atopy was 44.8% (95% CI [38.5-47.8]). In overall, Der F and Der P were the most commonly sensitized allergens (29.5% and 28.7%, respectively), and followed by cat (8.0) and birch (8.0%), hazel (7.4%), alder (7.2%), mugwort (7.0%), beech (6.7%), oak (6.6%) and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (5.8%). The ten common inhalant allergens were similar between regions. However, in Jeju, 6 among 10 common allergen were different from other regions. Sensitization to Japanese cedar (12.4%), rye (8.7%), velvet (8.3%), Kentucky (8.1%), timothy (7.5%) and vernal grass (7.4%) were more prevalent in Jeju. According to allergen groups, geographic heterogeneity were highest in outdoor molds and cockroaches. Sensitization to animals, weeds and mites showed less dependent to locations. Sensitization to pollen from early- and mid-blooming trees were significantly high in Gangwon, Gyeongbuk and Busan. Conclusion: As overall, common inhalant allergens were Der P, Der F, cat, birch, hazel, alder, mugwort, beech, oak and Tyrophagus putrescentiae. Sensitization to inhalant allergens showed geographic variations, particularly in Jeju. This study was the largest scale conducted, so far, on the aeroallergen sensitizations in Korean adults. We hope our findings could contribute to the establishment of skin prick test panels for use in clinical practice and epidemiological surveys.

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