Library

feed icon rss

Your email was sent successfully. Check your inbox.

An error occurred while sending the email. Please try again.

Proceed reservation?

Export
Filter
  • 2000-2004  (16)
Material
Years
Year
  • 1
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Oxford, UK : Blackwell Science, Ltd
    Clinical & experimental allergy 31 (2001), S. 0 
    ISSN: 1365-2222
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Background and objective The increasing urbanization and the decrease in the numbers of farms in southern Germany might be associated with an increasing prevalence of allergic diseases. We compared the prevalence of allergic diseases in farmers, and rural, suburban and urban residents in the small geographical area of Augsburg in southern Germany.Methods In a cross-sectional survey adults, aged 25–75 years selected from the community population register were investigated. Rural, suburban and urban residents were defined by community size and farmers by occupation. Allergic respiratory disorders were assessed by self-administered questionnaires and specific IgE antibodies to five common aeroallergens.Results In comparison to rural residents the urban population had an increased risk of allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.2–1.9), atopic sensitization (OR = 1.2; 95% CI: 1.0–1.4) and sensitization against pollen (OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.2–1.9). There was no difference in the risk of asthma (OR = 1.0; 95% CI: 0.6–1.6) and a decreased risk in the sensitization against house dust mite (OR = 0.8; 95% CI: 0.7–1.0). The suburban residents did not differ from urban residents. Farmers had lower risks in allergic rhinitis, atopic sensitization, sensitization against pollen and mites (OR = 0.63; 0.86; 0.51 and 0.80, respectively) than rural non-farming residents, however, these differences were statistically not significant. Reported allergic rhinitis with sensitization to pollen was 2.5 times (95% CI: 1.8–3.6) more prevalent in urban than in rural residents.Conclusion A farming environment and rural lifestyle might be associated with unknown protective factors impacting the prevalence of allergies.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Library Location Call Number Volume/Issue/Year Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 2
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Oxford, UK : Blackwell Science Ltd
    Clinical & experimental allergy 33 (2003), S. 0 
    ISSN: 1365-2222
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Background Exposure to endotoxin in childhood is currently discussed to protect from the development of allergic diseases.Objective To study the effect of early endotoxin exposure on incidence of atopic sensitization, atopic dermatitis and wheezing until the age of 2 years in infants with different risk status in terms of parental atopy.Methods Data of 1942 infants of an ongoing birth cohort study were analysed by logistic regression. Endotoxin was measured in settled dust of the mothers' mattresses at infants' age of 3 months. Data on allergic symptoms and physicians' diagnoses were gathered by questionnaire. Sensitization to common food and inhalant allergens was assessed by specific serum IgE.Results High endotoxin levels increased the risk of repeated wheeze [adjusted odds ratio (OR) for 4th exposure quartile (Q4) 1.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08–2.14], but were associated with neither sensitization to food allergens nor atopic dermatitis. Stratification by parental atopy showed that there was an association of endotoxin exposure with incidence of repeated wheeze as well as with sensitization to inhalant allergens (P for trend = 0.008 and 0.044, respectively) only in infants with parental atopy, with the highest risk in the 4th exposure quartile (repeated wheeze: ORQ4 1.77, 95% CI 1.14–2.73; sensitization to inhalant allergens: ORQ4 1.69, 95% CI 0.70–4.11).Conclusion Early endotoxin exposure in terms of mattress dust endotoxin levels seemed to increase the risk of atopic reactions to inhalant allergens at the age of 2 years, especially in infants at risk due to parental atopy. Our data disagree with an early protective effect of endotoxin on atopy development until the age of 2 years.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Library Location Call Number Volume/Issue/Year Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 3
    ISSN: 1365-2222
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Background The increase in allergic diseases is still unexplained. It was hypothesized that the intake of unsaturated fatty acids is a contributing cause of this development. We investigated the relationship between serum cholesterol levels, intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and manifestations of atopy in a population-based setting.Methods A nested case–control study was performed within the population of the 3rd MONICA survey in Augsburg (Germany). The serum levels of total, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol of 1537 adults (aged 28–78 years, response 61.4%) and the estimated intake of PUFA in a subset of 139 men were compared with the frequency of a doctor's diagnosis of asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (AR), atopic eczema (AE) and allergic sensitization as measured by skin prick and Radio Allergo Sorbent Test.Findings In bivariate analyses, we obtained a negative linear association between total and LDL cholesterol levels and the frequency of AR and sensitization, which was no longer significant after adjustment for important confounders. In contrast, positive linear associations were found between HDL cholesterol levels and AR and AE and, furthermore, between the intake of PUFA and allergic sensitization in men (P〈0.01). After adjustment, an increasing risk for atopic diseases with increasing levels of HDL cholesterol and an increasing risk for allergic sensitization with increasing intakes of PUFA remained statistically significant.Interpretation There is indication that HDL cholesterol also plays a role in the complex interaction of fat intake, metabolism and the manifestation of atopy in adults. These findings may contribute to the understanding of time trends and regional differences of allergies.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Library Location Call Number Volume/Issue/Year Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 4
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Oxford, UK : Blackwell Science, Ltd
    Clinical & experimental allergy 31 (2001), S. 0 
    ISSN: 1365-2222
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Background Previous studies have shown that the risk for allergic sensitization is lower in children who grew up on farms and in young adults who were exposed to dogs in early childhood. A higher microbial exposure in general and in particular to endotoxin in early childhood might contribute to this lower risk of atopy.Objective We examined whether the presence of pets or vermin in the home is associated with higher endotoxin concentrations in settled house dust.Methods House dust was sampled in a standardized manner on the living room floors of 454 homes of German children aged 5–10 years (participation rate 61%). Endotoxin was assessed with a quantitative kinetic chromogenic Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) method. Associations between endotoxin levels, pets and vermin are presented as ratios of the crude and confounder adjusted geometric means (means ratios) in the category of study vs. a reference category using multiple linear regression models.Results Endotoxin concentrations in living room floor dust sampled in homes without pets and vermin were lower (1246 ng per square meter, 1519 ng endotoxin/g dust, n = 157) than those sampled in homes with pets or vermin (2267 ng per square meter, 2200 ng endotoxin/g dust, n = 296). After adjustment for city of residence, season of dust sampling, age of the building and story of the dwelling, means ratios for endotoxin expressed per gram of dust were statistically significantly increased for dog (1.64, 95% CI 1.09–2.46), for cat (1.50, 95% CI 1.03–2.18) and for cockroach (3.01, 95% CI 1.37–6.60), whereas no major statistically significant associations were found for other pets, ants and mice.Conclusion Keeping a dog or a cat in the home is consistent with higher exposure to endotoxin and might therefore contribute to the lower risk of atopy in later life.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Library Location Call Number Volume/Issue/Year Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 5
    ISSN: 1365-2222
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Background Atopic diseases develop on a genetic background and are modulated by environmental factors among which some infectious diseases are thought to have a protective influence.Objective The aim of this study was to determine the influence of infectious diseases in younger ages, bacterial and viral, on atopic diseases and sensitization to aero- and foodallergens in adults.Methods A population-based sample of 4262 subjects aged 25–74 years were interviewed concerning their history of infectious disease within the first 18 years of life. Information about allergic disease, including atopic eczema, allergic rhinitis (AR), and asthma was obtained. A blood sample was drawn and analysed for allergen-specific IgE antibodies against food- and aeroallergens.Results Multiple logistic regression analyses identified viral infection to be associated with AR (adjusted odds ratio (OR)=1.39; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.13–1.72) and sensitization to aeroallergens (OR=1.21; 95% CI: 1.05–1.41). Bacterial disease was a negative predictor for atopy development in the subgroup of patients sensitized to nutritional allergens with concomitant atopic eczema (OR=0.34; 95% CI: 0.11–0.99), AR (OR=0.67; 95% CI: 0.42–1.07), or asthma (OR=0.41; 95% CI: 0.19–0.87). Influences of viral and bacterial infection on AR differed with regard to family history of atopic disease.Conclusion In our study population, history of viral infection was consistently positively associated with AR. Our data suggests that bacterial infections might be preventive for specific subgroups of atopy.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Library Location Call Number Volume/Issue/Year Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 6
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Oxford, UK : Blackwell Science Ltd
    Clinical & experimental allergy 33 (2003), S. 0 
    ISSN: 1365-2222
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Background  Studies investigating the effect of exposure to indoor allergens and endotoxin on human respiratory health usually take dust samples only at one single point of time and consider them to be representative for the indoor biocontaminant burden during a time period of several years. This singly measured biocontaminant concentration is related to adverse respiratory outcomes such as asthma, wheeze or others.Objective  We analysed two repeated measurements of mite and cat allergens in mattress and living room floor dust as well as endotoxin concentrations in living room floor dust. The repeated samples were taken over a time period of about 6 years. We investigated the repeatability over time of their concentrations by determining correlation coefficients and computing within- and between-home variance components.Methods  Our analysis was based on the population of a study on Indoor Factors and Genetics in Asthma (INGA) being carried out in 1995/96 and followed up in 2000/01. Complete data were available from 152 participants.Results  The measured allergen concentrations were low and a considerable percentage of the values was below the limit of detection. The crude Spearman's rank correlation coefficients between the two measurements taken in 1995/96 and 2000/01 ranged from 0.32 to 0.61 for the dust mites allergens, from 0.21 to 0.44 for cat allergen and from 0.35 to 0.51 for endotoxin. Correlations were higher if measurements were performed on the same floor or the same mattress at both sampling time-points. The within-home variance for all measured biocontaminant concentrations was of about the same order as the between-home variance.Conclusion  For studies like ours with low allergen and endotoxin concentrations, the repeatability of these concentrations over a time period as long as 6 years is low and a single measurement does not accurately reflect the true long-term exposure in the homes.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Library Location Call Number Volume/Issue/Year Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 7
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Oxford, UK : Munksgaard International Publishers
    Allergy 57 (2002), S. 0 
    ISSN: 1398-9995
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Background:  There is evidence that the use of alternative medicine (AM) for allergies has increased. However, little is known from population-based studies about what determines its use. The objective of this study was to evaluate the patterns of use of AM for allergies. Methods:  A population-based nested case-control study was conducted in 2000–01 using computer-assisted telephone interviews. Three hundred and fifty-one adults participated (median age 46 years) with allergies including hay fever, asthma, atopic eczema, and food hypersensitivity. Information was obtained on demographics, prevalence, motivation, information, type of AM, provider, costs, willingness to pay, and subjective assessment of AM. Results:  26.5% of participants used AM because of their allergies. Compared to nonusers, this group of users was significantly younger (median age 43 vs 47; p =0.004) and better educated (school education 〉 8 year vs ≤ 8 year; odds ratio (OR) 2.17, 1.28–3.67) and was mostly motivated by the assumption of few side-effects (78.3%), by a wish to try everything (71.7%), and by unsatisfying results from conventional therapy (66.3%). Users also had more experience with conventional therapy than nonusers (94.6% vs 63.6%; OR 10.10, 4.00–25.72). Four procedures accounted for almost the entire usage: homeopathy (35.3%), autologous blood injection (28.1%), acupuncture (16.6%), and bioresonance (10.0%). The AM were mostly promoted (40.2%) and provided (60.9%) by medical doctors, and produced median costs for single and entire treatment of 4 € (15–205) and 205 € (15–1278)e. Reimbursement from insurance companies was received by 52.3%, in full (37.8%) or partial (14.5%). Most subjects (55.4%) admitted that they would pay more (median 153e) for the achieved result. Users scored the efficacy of conventional therapy significantly lower ( p 〈0.001) than nonusers, and assessed the results of AM as very good (28.6%) or rather good (53.8%). Conclusions:  AM is used widely for allergies by the general population and is associated with considerable costs. This has implications for the health care system and health policy.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Library Location Call Number Volume/Issue/Year Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 8
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Copenhagen : Munksgaard International Publishers
    Allergy 56 (2001), S. 0 
    ISSN: 1398-9995
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Background: We aimed to determine the prevalence of contact sensitization in the general population and to investigate associations with important sociodemographic and medical characteristics. Methods: Within a population-based nested, case-control study in Germany, we performed patch tests with 25 standard allergens in 1141 adults (50.4% female, age median 50 years). Additional information was obtained by a dermatologic examination, a standardized interview, and blood analysis. Results: At least one positive reaction was exhibited by 40.0% of the subjects, with reactions most frequently observed to fragrance mix (15.9%), nickel (13.1%), thimerosal (4.7%), and balsam of Peru (3.8%). Women were sensitized more often than men (50.2%vs 29.9%, OR 2.36, CI 1.84–3.03), and this was also significant for fragrance mix, nickel, turpentine, cobalt chloride, and thimerosal. Contact sensitization was more frequent in subjects who reported adverse skin reactions (53.8% vs. 32.6%; OR 2.41, CI 1.85–3.14), and this was particularly true for sensitization to nickel (45.5%vs 8.8%, OR 8.64, CI 5.67–13.17) and fragrance mix (29.0%vs 14.0%, OR 2.51, CI 1.60–3.91) and the corresponding intolerance of fashion jewelry and fragrances. Contact sensitization decreased with increasing degree of occupational training (unskilled 45.9%, apprenticeship 40.1%, technical college 40.4%, and school of engineering 12.5%; P=0.023; trend test P=0.042). Significant associations of contact sensitization and presence of allergen-specific IgE antibodies, atopic eczema, or psoriasis were not observed. Frequency estimates for the general adult population based on these findings were 28.0% for overall contact sensitization and 11.4% for fragrance mix, 9.9% for nickel, and 3.2% for thimerosal. Conclusions: It is concluded that contact allergy is influenced by sociodemographic parameters and plays an important role in the general population.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Library Location Call Number Volume/Issue/Year Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 9
    ISSN: 1398-9995
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Background: Food allergy and food intolerance (FA/FI) are believed to be frequent medical problems; however, information from epidemiologic studies in adults is scarce. The objective was to determine the frequency of FA/FI and allergic sensitization to food in a large adult sample. Furthermore, the associations between FA/FI and other outcomes of atopy were studied. Methods: Within a population-based, nested, case-control study, a standardized interview was performed to obtain detailed information on FA/FI and the history of atopic diseases. In addition, a skin prick test with 10 common food and nine aeroallergens was performed. Results: Overall, 20.8% of the 1537 studied subjects (50.4% female, age median 50 years) reported FA/FI (women 27.5%, men 14.0%; OR 2.35, CI 1.80–3.08). Nuts, fruits, and milk most frequently led to adverse effects, and the sites of manifestation were oral (42.9%), skin (28.7%), gastrointestinal (13.0%), systemic (3.2%), and multiple (12.2%). One-quarter of the subjects (25.1%) were sensitized to at least one food allergen in the prick test, with hazelnut (17.8%), celery (14.6%), and peanut (11.1%) accounting for most of the positive reactions. The corresponding frequency estimates for the representative study base (n=4178) were 15.5% for reported adverse reactions and 16.8% for allergic sensitization. Relevant concomitant sensitization to food and aeroallergens was observed. Food-allergic subjects (positive history and sensitization to corresponding allergen) suffered significantly more often from urticaria, asthma, atopic eczema, and especially hay fever (73.1%) than controls (3.0%). Furthermore, hay fever was treated significantly more often in subjects who suffered from concomitant food allergy. Conclusions: FA/FI in adults is frequently reported and associated with other manifestations of atopy. Hay fever in conjunction with FA/FI tends to be clinically more severe since therapeutic needs are enhanced.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Library Location Call Number Volume/Issue/Year Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
  • 10
    Electronic Resource
    Electronic Resource
    Oxford, UK : Munksgaard International Publishers
    Allergy 59 (2004), S. 0 
    ISSN: 1398-9995
    Source: Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
    Topics: Medicine
    Notes: Background:  The study of partners can help to understand the impact of environmental influences on the development of allergies. We aimed to test the hypothesis that subjects whose partners have hay fever are at increased risk for the same disease and that the risk increases with the time subjects live together with an affected partner.Methods:  A nested unmatched case–control study was performed in a random sample of 4261 inhabitants, aged 25–74 years, of the City of Augsburg, Germany, and two adjacent counties. Using standardized computer-assisted face-to-face interviews, we determined the risk of doctor-diagnosed hay fever in subjects who lived together with a partner having the same disease as opposed to subjects living with an unaffected partner. Furthermore, the risk of doctor-diagnosed hay fever depending on the time the subjects had lived together with an affected partner was calculated.Results:  After adjustment for age, sex, parental predisposition and social status, the risk of hay fever was more than double in subjects who lived together with a partner having the same disease (odds ratio, ORadj., 2.41; 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.48–3.92). If subjects lived together with an affected partner, the risk of developing the disease increased with the time the partners lived together (1–11 years, OR 1; 12–23 years, OR 1.8; 24–35 years, OR 7.4; 36–54 years, OR 13.7).Conclusion:  The risk of developing hay fever is significantly elevated in subjects who live together with a partner having the same disease. The risk further increases with the time the partners live together. This points to important shared environmental influences or behaviours and raises speculations on a transmissible cause.
    Type of Medium: Electronic Resource
    Library Location Call Number Volume/Issue/Year Availability
    BibTip Others were also interested in ...
Close ⊗
This website uses cookies and the analysis tool Matomo. More information can be found here...