Changes of Causative Allergen in Patients with Allergic Diseases in Chonbuk Province.

Jeon, Hyun Sun; Lee, Yong Chul; Lee, Heung Bum; Rhee, Yang Keun

doi:1999.47.6.817

Tuberc Respir Dis > Volume 47(6); 1999 > Article

Original Article

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 1999;47(6):817-823.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.1999.47.6.817 Published online December 1, 1999.

Changes of Causative Allergen in Patients with Allergic Diseases in Chonbuk Province.

Hyun Sun Jeon, Yong Chul Lee, Heung Bum Lee, Yang Keun Rhee

Department of Internal Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Collage of medicine, Chonju, Korea. leeyc@moak.chonbuk.ac.kr

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The prevalence of allergic disease has increased substantially over the past decades. The reasons for these trends are complex but include increased environmental allergen exposure. Enviro nmental control measures are of particular importance in the prevention and management of allergic disease. Thus, we purposed to evaluate the changes of causative allergens in allergic patients in Chonbuk provincial area that began industralized recently. METHOD: To evaluate the allergens epidemiologically, we performed skin prick tests and RAST in 201 allergic patients from February, 1984 to February, 1985 and 339 patients from February, 1997 to February, 1998. RESULTS: The Following results were obtained. 1) Total sensitization rates did not change significantly (74.2% vs 75.8%, p=0.664). 2) Positive reaction rates to pollens were similar (35.8% vs 30.1%, p=0.17). 3) Positive rates to HDM(house dust mite) were decreased (66.1% vs 56.3%, =0.02). 4) Positive rates to fungi and animal danders were decreased significantly (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Environmental allergens associated with hygine in Chonbuk provincial areas such as HDM and fungi are decreased significantly during 13 years.

Key Words: Allergens