Perennial aeroallergens sensitisation and risk of asthma in African children and adolescents: a case-control study. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pefura-Yone, Eric Walter; Mbele-Onana, Charles Lebon; Balkissou, Adamou Dodo; Kenmegne-Noumsi, Elvira Christelle; Boulleys-Nana, Julie Raïcha; Kolontchang-Yomi, Barbara Linda; Theubo-Kamgang, Boris Judicaël; Ndjeutcheu-Moualeu, Patricia Ingrid; Ebouki, Emilienne Régine; Kengne, André Pascal; for Groupe Enquête en Santé Respiratoire au Cameroun (GESRC)
• Is Part Of: Journal of asthma. Volume 52:Number 6(2015)
• Page Start: 571
• Page End: 575
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: Asthma -- Periodicals; 616.238005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-0903

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Objectives</italic>: The distribution and impact of various aeroallergens on asthma occurrence vary across regions. We investigated the association between sensitisation to perennial aeroallergens and asthma risk in children and adolescents in Yaounde, Cameroon. <italic>Methods</italic>: This was a case-control study involving children and adolescents with asthma (cases) vs. non-allergic counterparts (controls). Children/adolescents with doctor-diagnosed asthma were included over a period of 30 months, and controls were selected from the community through random sampling. Logistic regression models were used to relate perennial aeroallergens sensitisation with asthma. <italic>Results</italic>: The asthma and control groups included, respectively, 151 and 372 participants, with no sex ratio difference. The mean age (standard deviation) was 11.9 (4.4) years in cases and 11.3 (3.7) years in controls. The prevalence of sensitisation to any aeroallergen (cases vs. controls) was 76.8% (116/151) and 32.3% (120/372), <italic>p</italic> < 0.001. Sensitisation to mites was found in 104 (68.9%) cases vs. 56 (15.1%) controls, <italic>p</italic> < 0.001. In multivariable analysis, sensitisation to <italic>Alternaria alternata, Blattella germanica</italic> and dander (cat and dog) was not associated with asthma. However, sensitisation to mites was significantly associated with asthma. Odds ratios (95% CI) for sensitisation to <italic>Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae</italic> and <italic>Blomia tropicalis</italic> in relation with asthma were 7.28 (3.75–14.15), 2.65 (1.27–5.45) and 3.23 (1.68–6.21), respectively. <italic>Conclusions</italic>: Sensitisation to mites was the main perennial allergenic factor associated with asthma in children and adolescents in this setting. This has application for the selection of patients with asthma who could benefit from the control of exposure to mites and specific immunotherapy.</p> </abstract>