Copyright ©ERS Journals Ltd 2001 Allergic sensitization and diet: ecological analysis in selected European cities1 GSF National Research Center for Environment and Health, Institute of Epidemiology, Neuherberg and 2 University of Applied Sciences Albstadt-Sigmaringen, Dept of Food and Hygiene Technology, Sigmaringen, Germany CORRESPONDENCE: J. Heinrich, GSF National Research Center for Environment and Health, Institute of Epidemiology, D-85758, Neuherberg, Germany. Fax: +498931873380 Keywords: allergic sensitization, antioxidants, diet, ecological study, ECHRS, fatty acids
Received: February 1, 2000
It has been postulated that the prevalence of atopic diseases and their
increase over time are associated with regional differences in diet and trends.
The results of an ecological correlation study comparing the mean daily intake
of selected dietary constituents and the prevalence of allergic sensitization
in adults in Europe is presented.
Prevalence data from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS)
were used. For eight out of 37 ECRHS centres (including 3,872 subjects),
comparable dietary data could be obtained. The effect for each dietary constituent
was modelled using logistic regression analyses with a term for over dispersion.
Inverse associations between the prevalence of allergic sensitization and
the energy adjusted intake of fruit were found (odds ratio (OR)=0.68,
p=0.034). Furthermore OR for energy adjusted intake of vitamin
A (OR=0.73, p=0.057), vitamin C (OR=0.83,
p=0.338) and riboflavin (OR=0.72, p=0.077)
were consistently <1, but confidence intervals were wider. Daily intake
of monounsaturated fatty acids (energy adjusted) was positively
associated with sensitization prevalence (OR=1.59, p=0.035).
These results support the hypothesis that a high intake of monounsaturated
fatty acids might promote the development of allergic sensitization.
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