Association between atopic sensitization and asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in Swedish adults: Pets, and not mites, are the most important allergens

Background: Atopic sensitization is a well-known risk factor for asthma and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR). Mites have been regarded as the most important allergens, but the prevalence of sensitization to mites Is relati vely low in Sweden. Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate possible associations be tween sensitization to various allergens and asthma and BHR in adults, Meth ods: A random sample of 1859 subjects, aged 20 to 46 years, was investigate d in a cross-sectional study by using a questionnaire, skin prick tests (SP Ts), specific and total IgE measurements, and methacholine bronchial challe nge tests. Possible associations were analyzed univariately and by using mu ltivariate logistic regression analysis and proportional hazard regression analysis, Results: Positive SPT and specific IgE results were more common in subjects with asthma and BHR than in subjects without these conditions for all alle rgens, The independent associations between positive SPT responses and asth ma and BHR are given as adjusted prevalence ratios (PRRs): pets and asthma, PRR = 3.6; pets and BHR, PRR = 2.0; grass and asthma, PRR = 2.0; grass and BHR, PRR = 1.7; mites and asthma, PRR = 1.4; and mites and BHR, PRR = 1.2. The use of specific IgE measurements instead of SPTs showed essentially si milar results. Conclusion: Cats and dogs were the sensitizing allergens most closely assoc iated with asthma and BHR, The relationships with sensitization to grass an d mites were less pronounced.