INCREASED PREVALENCE OF SENSITIZATION AGAINST AEROALLERGENS IN ADULTSIN WEST COMPARED WITH EAST-GERMANY

Background An increased prevalence of allergic diseases and atopic sen sitization as assessed by skin-prick testing in children in West compa red with East Germany has been reported. Objectives This study was des igned to evaluate whether such a difference is also present in adults, and if this can be shown when using a serological test for allergic s ensitization. Methods Two large samples representative for all adults between 25 and 69 years of age were drawn in West (1991, n = 5313) and East Germany (1992, n = 2617). A serological test screening for IgE-a ntibodies to common aeroallergens (SX1) was performed. A questionnaire was used to assess the presence of clinical respiratory allergy, know n possible risk factors for allergies and confounding variables. Resul ts Allergic sensitization decreased with age. Significantly more subje cts <45 years of age had a positive allergy test in West as compared t o East Germany. The prevalence of clinical allergy was also higher in West Germany. This difference was significant in younger adults and wa s independent of other risk factors identified. These additional risk factors encompassed younger age, higher educational level, male sex, a nd living in a community with more than 100 000 inhabitants. Conclusio n Sensitization to common aeroallergens as determined by a multiple al lergen RAST test in adults below 45 years of age living in West German y is increased compared to East Germany. This increase cannot be expla ined by genetic differences and is similar to the West to East decreas ing gradient in allergies reported from studies in children employing skin-prick tests.