Prevalence of Aeroallergen Sensitization and Increased Exhaled Nitric Oxide Values in Schoolchildren of Different Socioeconomic Status

• Tipo: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2010

Autores

Silva, R (Autor) Outra; Cruz, L (Autor) Outra; Vieira, T (Autor) Outra; Leblanc, A (Autor) Outra; Ferreira, A (Autor) Outra; Fonseca, J (Autor) FMUP; Moreira, André (Autor) FMUP; Castel Branco, MG (Autor) Outra

Revista

Título: Journal of Investigational Allergology and Clinical Immunology

Vol. 20 Nº 4

Páginas: 210-213

ISSN: 1018-9068

Editora: Esmon Publicidad S.A.

Indexação

ISI Web of Knowledge - 4 Citações

Scopus - 5 Citações

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: P-003-BNY

Abstract (EN): Background: Screening for allergic diseases allows an early diagnosis to be made, thus reducing socioeconomic burden and enhancing quality of life. We determined the prevalence of elevated exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) levels and sensitization to common airborne allergens in schoolchildren from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Material and Methods: The study population comprised 271 children (136 boys) aged between 8 and 12 years in whom we applied skin prick tests and determined eNO levels. Results: Thirty-five percent of the children were identified as atopic. There was a significantly higher prevalence of atopy in boys (43% vs 27%). Among the children with a high socioeconomic status, 37% were atopic, compared with 30% of those with a low socioeconomic status. We observed a significantly lower prevalence of pollen sensitization in children of lower socioeconomic status (10% vs 20%). In the atopic group, 51% had elevated eNO levels, while in the nonatopic group this value was 4%. The mean (SD) eNO level was 33.4 (26.6) ppb in the atopic group and 11.9 (6.4) ppb in the nonatopic group. No differences were found for eNO values in terms of gender or socioeconomic status. Conclusions: Our results emphasize the high prevalence of atopy in our population and suggest that determination of eNO levels could help to provide an early diagnosis. We also observed the following: a) a significant difference in mean eNO values between atopic and nonatopic children; b) a significantly lower prevalence of pollen sensitization in children of lower socioeconomic status; and c) a higher prevalence of atopy in boys.

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica

Nº de páginas: 4