THE PO RIVER DELTA RESPIRATORY EPIDEMIOLOGIC SURVEY - AN ANALYSIS OF FACTORS RELATED TO LEVEL OF TOTAL SERUM IGE

The purpose of the present study was to analyse whether ses, age, skin test reactivity, cigarette smoking and occupational exposure were rel ated to the total serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E concentrations (kU.L-1), in a general population sample. We studied 1,905 subjects (915 males, 990 females) of a general population sample (n=2,841, 8-73 yrs) partic ipating in the second cross-sectional respiratory epidemiological surv ey in the rural Po Delta area (near Venice, North Italy). Distribution of total serum IgE concentrations was skewed, thus a log-transformati on was performed to obtain a Gaussian shape. Significantly higher valu es of IgE were found in males compared to females. In general, a peak of IgE concentration was found at 8-14 yrs. IgE values tended to be lo ner in older than younger adults. Significantly higher serum IgE level s were shown in subjects with a positive skin-prick test index (ST+) t han in those with a negative skin-prick test index (ST-). There was a significant relationship of total levels with skin reactivity to polle ns and house-dust mites, In both sexes higher values of IgE were found in current smokers than in es-nonsmokers, regardless of skin-test rea ctivity. There was no significant difference in IgE values between es- and nonsmokers, Passive smoking and occupational exposure were signifi cantly related to increased IgE values. Our results confirm that in a general population sample immunoglobulin E concentrations are related not only to skin-prick test reactivity to common aeroallergens, but al so to other risk factors for chronic obstructive lung diseases, such a s ses, active/passive smoking and occupational exposure.