J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2004 Mar;24(1):103-109.

The sensitization rate to house dust mites and the prevalence of asthma in healthy young women

• Kim HS
• Park CW
• Lee JS
• Cho YJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND
During the past few decades, the prevalence of allergic disorders has increased worldwide. We attempted to reveal the sensitization rate of dust mite allergens, which is one of the most important allergens in Korea, and the prevalence of mite-sensitized asthma in healthy young women who had no history of allergic diseases. METHODS: We performed the skin prick test with two mites (Dermatophagoides farinae, Df; Dermatophagoides pteronnyssinus, Dp) in 24-26 years old 172 women who had no history of allergic diseases. We also performed the methacholine bronchial provocation test (MBPT) and the questionnaire survey of positive skin responders. RESULTS: The 55.2% of subjects showed positive skin responses to house dust mites. The positive rate to MBPT was 54.7% with average PC20 of 15.97+/-7.68 mg/ml and 48.4% had asthma symptoms in the questionnaire survey. Among the methacholine positive population, 6.3% had no asthma symptoms. The history of 3-week cough after upper airway infection was most important, but the most specific item was wheezing. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of dust mite-sensitive bronchial asthma in healthy young women is 26.7%, which is higher than that of previous studies.

Keyword

sensitization rate; prevalence; asthma; dust mite

MeSH Terms

Allergens
Asthma*
Bronchial Provocation Tests
Cough
Dust*
Female
Humans
Korea
Methacholine Chloride
Mites
Prevalence*
Pyroglyphidae*
Respiratory Sounds
Skin
Surveys and Questionnaires
Allergens
Dust
Methacholine Chloride