Abstract
Background Allergic sensitization is associated with allergic diseases and asthma. These associations have not been studied on general population level among adults in Vietnam.
Aim To study the prevalence of allergic sensitization and its association with asthma and allergic rhinitis among adults in urban and rural Vietnam.
Methods From 5782 responders to a questionnaire survey in urban and rural northern Vietnam a random sample was invited to a clinical follow-up study, and 684 (46%) participated. The methods included a structured interview using a modified GA2LEN questionnaire on symptoms and possible determinants for disease. Skin prick test (SPT) with ten common airborne allergens, lung function test, and methacholine test was performed among subjects aged ≤60 years.
Results Allergic sensitization was most common to B tropicalis (23.8%), followed by D pteronyssinus (13.5%), cockroach (13.3%) and D farinae (10.5%). Altogether 33.8% had a positive SPT to at least one allergen. Sensitization to animals, pollen and moulds were low. No major difference by area was found. Sensitization to all major allergens was significantly more common among men. Allergic rhinitis was strongly associated with sensitization to mites, cockroach, cats and dogs. In contrast, sensitization was not associated with a report of asthma or symptoms common in asthma, although a significant association was found between the number of positive SPT reactions and bronchial hyper-reactivity defined as PC20 ≤2mg/ml.
Conclusion The storage mite B tropicalis was the most common sensitizer in northern Vietnam. Sensitization was associated with allergic rhinitis but less so with asthma.
- © 2014 ERS
