TOTAL SERUM IGE IS ASSOCIATED WITH ASTHMA INDEPENDENTLY OF SPECIFIC IGE LEVELS

In this study we aimed to assess whether the association between asthm a (defined by symptoms and bronchial responsiveness) and total immunog lobulin E (IgE) levels was independent of specific IgE level to common aeroallergens. A general population-based sample, supplemented with s ymptomatic individuals, comprising 1,916 young adults, aged 20-44 year s, from five areas of Spain, performed a face-to-face respiratory ques tionnaire, and spirometry, and had total and specific serum IgE levels to mites, pets and moulds recorded. fn 1,626 of the subjects, a dose- response methacholine challenge test was completed. Subjects reporting current attacks of asthma showed an association with total IgE (odds ratio (OR) for IgE > 100 kU . L(-1) 4.73, 95% confidence intervals (95 % CI) = 2.01-11.12, adjusted for specific IgE, sex, age, smoking, forc ed expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and area), which did not va ry by bronchial responsiveness, The association between total IgE and asthma also occurred among those with negative specific IgE antibodies (OR 18.0; 95% 13.9-120). Individuals with current wheezing and bronch ial responsiveness without attacks of asthma also showed an adjusted a ssociation with total IgE (OR 4.96; 95% CI 2.32-10.6), which remained for persons without specific IgE (QR 5.86; 95% CI 2.18-1.7). These fin dings reinforce previous evidence that asthma is associated with incre ased levels of fetal IgE, even in subjects negative for specific IgE t o common aeroallergens.