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Clinical and Translational Allergy
Published in: Clinical and Translational Allergy 1/2011

Open Access 01-12-2011 | Research

Quantification of atopy, lung function and airway hypersensitivity in adults

Authors: Susana Marinho, Angela Simpson, Paul Marsden, Jacky A Smith, Adnan Custovic

Published in: Clinical and Translational Allergy | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

Background

Studies in children have shown that concentration of specific serum IgE (sIgE) and size of skin tests to inhalant allergens better predict wheezing and reduced lung function than the information on presence or absence of atopy. However, very few studies in adults have investigated the relationship of quantitative atopy with lung function and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR).

Objective

To determine the association between lung function and AHR and quantitative atopy in a large sample of adults from the UK.

Methods

FEV1 and FVC (% predicted) were measured using spirometry and airway responsiveness by methacholine challenge (5-breath dosimeter protocol) in 983 subjects (random sample of 800 parents of children enrolled in a population-based birth cohort enriched with 183 patients with physician-diagnosed asthma). Atopic status was assessed by skin prick tests (SPT) and measurement of sIgE (common inhalant allergens). We also measured indoor allergen exposure in subjects' homes.

Results

Spirometry was completed by 792 subjects and 626 underwent methacholine challenge, with 100 (16.0%) having AHR (dose-response slope>25). Using sIgE as a continuous variable in a multiple linear regression analysis, we found that increasing levels of sIgE to mite, cat and dog were significantly associated with lower FEV1 (mite p = 0.001, cat p = 0.0001, dog p = 2.95 × 10-8). Similar findings were observed when using the size of wheal on skin testing as a continuous variable, with significantly poorer lung function with increasing skin test size (mite p = 8.23 × 10-8, cat p = 3.93 × 10-10, dog p = 3.03 × 10-15, grass p = 2.95 × 10-9). The association between quantitative atopy with lung function and AHR remained unchanged when we repeated the analyses amongst subjects defined as sensitised using standard definitions (sIgE>0.35 kUa/l, SPT-3 mm>negative control).

Conclusions

In the studied population, lung function decreased and AHR increased with increasing sIgE levels or SPT wheal diameter to inhalant allergens, suggesting that atopy may not be a dichotomous outcome influencing lung function and AHR.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Quantification of atopy, lung function and airway hypersensitivity in adults
Authors
Susana Marinho
Angela Simpson
Paul Marsden
Jacky A Smith
Adnan Custovic
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Clinical and Translational Allergy / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 2045-7022
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/2045-7022-1-16

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