Carli Tanja, Locatelli Igor, Košnik Mitja, Bevk Danilo, Kukec Andreja
University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Medicine, Vrazov trg 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
National Institute of Public Health, Trubarjeva cesta 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Zdr Varst. 2025 Jan 2;64(1):40-48. doi: 10.2478/sjph-2025-0006. eCollection 2025 Mar.
To estimate the lifetime prevalence of first and recurrent systemic allergic reaction to bee venom among Slovenian beekeepers. Additionally, we aimed to elucidate the risk factors predisposing beekeepers to developing systemic allergic reaction to bee venom.
A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,080 beekeepers who are members of the Slovenian beekeeper's association, between 1 November 2021 and 31 May 2023. Epidemiological data were collected using a validated questionnaire, with the clinician-confirmed observed health outcome.
The estimated overall lifetime prevalence of self-reported first systemic allergic reaction to bee venom was 9.4% (102/1,080), with 40.7% (24/59) of the clinician-confirmed cases being severe (grade III-IV according to the Mueller classification). The estimated overall lifetime prevalence of reported recurrent systemic allergic reaction to bee venom was lower at 3.7% (40/1,080), with 60.0% (9/15) of the clinician-confirmed cases being severe (grade III-IV according to the Mueller classification). Risk factors associated with the first systemic allergic reaction to bee venom included age, male sex, number of bee stings per season, a history of large local reaction and experiencing nasal symptoms while working at hives. Younger male beekeepers, with a low number of bee stings per season, a history of large local reaction and nasal symptoms while working at hives, are at a high risk of having systemic allergic reaction to bee venom.
High lifetime prevalence of clinician-confirmed severe first and recurrent systemic allergic reaction to bee venom underscored the importance of targeted public health strategies and clinical interventions to protect this high-risk population.
估计斯洛文尼亚养蜂人中首次发生及复发性蜂毒全身性过敏反应的终生患病率。此外，我们旨在阐明使养蜂人易发生蜂毒全身性过敏反应的危险因素。
2021年11月1日至2023年5月31日期间，在斯洛文尼亚养蜂人协会的1080名养蜂人中进行了一项全国性横断面研究。使用经过验证的问卷收集流行病学数据，并以临床医生确认的观察到的健康结果为准。
自我报告的首次蜂毒全身性过敏反应的估计终生患病率为9.4%（102/1080），临床医生确认的病例中有40.7%（24/59）为严重过敏反应（根据米勒分类法为III-IV级）。报告的复发性蜂毒全身性过敏反应的估计终生患病率较低，为3.7%（40/1080），临床医生确认的病例中有60.0%（9/15）为严重过敏反应（根据米勒分类法为III-IV级）。与首次蜂毒全身性过敏反应相关的危险因素包括年龄、男性性别、每季度蜂蜇次数、局部大反应史以及在蜂巢工作时出现鼻部症状。年轻男性养蜂人，每季度蜂蜇次数少，有局部大反应史以及在蜂巢工作时出现鼻部症状，发生蜂毒全身性过敏反应的风险较高。
临床医生确认的严重首次及复发性蜂毒全身性过敏反应的终生患病率较高，凸显了针对性公共卫生策略和临床干预措施对保护这一高危人群的重要性。
