Changes in allergen sensitization in children with allergic diseases in the 1980 to 2019

Abstract

Purpose: Allergen sensitization is constantly changing, and understanding these changes can help manage and prevent allergic diseases. This research analyzed and compared the changes in allergen sensitization in children diagnosed with allergic diseases using the skin test and the multiple allergen simultaneous test. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data on children who were diagnosed with allergic diseases and received immunotherapy at Yonsei Medical Center from 1980 to 1998 and they were screened for allergen sensitization at Severance Hospital from 2005 to 2019. Results: Between 1980 and 1998, and between 2005 and 2019, data on 3,205 (male, 70.3%; mean age, 7.2 +/- 2.9 years) and 15,318 children (male, 62.8%; mean age, 8.8 +/- 4.5 years) were analyzed. The sensitized allergens that appeared in the 1980-1998 included Dermatophagoides farinae (91.0%), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (76.3%), cockroach (13.5%), and Altemaria (11.5%), in order of frequency; further, the sensitized allergens that appeared in the 2005-2019 included D. farinae (45.0%), D. pteronyssinus (39.6%), cat dander (12.2%), and dog dander (9.1%), in order of frequency. D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus demonstrated the highest sensitization rates, although the rates decreased gradually. The sensitization to cat dander and dog dander showed a growing trend, and sensitization to Humulus japonicus, Candida, and cockroach decreased after 2005. Conclusion: Over the past 40 years, the allergen sensitization in Korean children with allergic diseases has increased.These changes reflect lifestyle and environmental changes and influence allergic disease management approaches. Thus, changes in allergic sensitization should be monitored continuously.