[Increased sensitization prevalence to common inhalant and food allergens in young Polish males].

UNLABELLED

Numerous epidemiological studies concluded recently have suggested that the prevalence of allergic diseases has increased, which mainly results from an increase in the prevalence of atopic diseases. The prevalence of sensitization to atopic allergens and its time dynamicity is unknown nowadays.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY

has been to find the prevalence of atopic sensitization in the population of young Polish males and to compare these findings with those obtained 16 years before.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The present study was performed on a group of 156 randomized healthy men, voluntary blood donors, aged 18-27 years. Having filled out a questionnaire, they had a blood sample taken to have serum total IgE concentration and allergen-specific IgE (asIgE) determined to inhalant and food allergens.

RESULTS

In 54 (35%) subjects asIgE to inhalant allergens was found, including 11 (7%) who had been tested for food allergens. While comparing the present findings with those of a similar study carried out in 1986, we found that in the last 16 years there had been a 52% increase in the prevalence of asIgE to atopic allergens. This means that the percentage of sensitized people can be estimated to have increased at a rate of approximately 3.25%/year.

CONCLUSION

At present, 27% of young men in Poland whose history finding for an allergic disease is negative, are diagnosed with allergy to atopic allergens.