BACKGROUND: Respiratory allergy is influenced and determined by genetic and environmental fact ors. Migration is a good model to indirectly evaluate thepossible influence of environment. OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical characteristics of respiratory allergy in immigrants to Italy, in comparison with the Italian population. METHODS: The clinical/demographic data of those immigrants stably living in Italy and referred for the first time to allergy services for respiratory allergy were collected in a multicenter survey. All the patients underwent a standard diagnostic workup. A matched Italian population was also examined. RESULTS: Six hundred ninety-eight immigrants and 859 Italians had at least one positive skin test and were analyzed. Most of the patients were referred to the allergy units by their general practitioners. In those patients, the demographic characteristics were not different, except for family size. Immigrants had less family history of atopy. Only 16% had a clinical history of allergy before migration. The time elapsed between migration and onset of symptoms was 5.3 ± 3.1 years, with a minimum of 0.5 and a maximum of 7 years. A higher rate of monosensitization was seen among immigrants, and the severity of their asthma/rhinitis was greater than in Italians. No difference was seen in the pattern of sensitizations. CONCLUSION: In this population of immigrants, environmental factors play a relevant role in the onset of respiratory allergies.

The possible influence of the environment on respiratory allergy: a survey on immigrants to Italy

ROLLA, Giovanni;
2011-01-01

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Respiratory allergy is influenced and determined by genetic and environmental fact ors. Migration is a good model to indirectly evaluate thepossible influence of environment. OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical characteristics of respiratory allergy in immigrants to Italy, in comparison with the Italian population. METHODS: The clinical/demographic data of those immigrants stably living in Italy and referred for the first time to allergy services for respiratory allergy were collected in a multicenter survey. All the patients underwent a standard diagnostic workup. A matched Italian population was also examined. RESULTS: Six hundred ninety-eight immigrants and 859 Italians had at least one positive skin test and were analyzed. Most of the patients were referred to the allergy units by their general practitioners. In those patients, the demographic characteristics were not different, except for family size. Immigrants had less family history of atopy. Only 16% had a clinical history of allergy before migration. The time elapsed between migration and onset of symptoms was 5.3 ± 3.1 years, with a minimum of 0.5 and a maximum of 7 years. A higher rate of monosensitization was seen among immigrants, and the severity of their asthma/rhinitis was greater than in Italians. No difference was seen in the pattern of sensitizations. CONCLUSION: In this population of immigrants, environmental factors play a relevant role in the onset of respiratory allergies.
2011
106
407
411
respiratory allergy; hygiene hypothesis
Lombardi C; Canonica GW; Passalacqua G; IGRAM; Italian Group on Respiratory Allergy in Migrants: Antonicelli L; Ariano R; Asero R; Berra D; Bignardi D; Corsico A; Costantino MT; Crivellaro M; Gani F; Folletti I; Incorvaia C; Liccardi G; Marcer G; Marogna M; Milanese M; Minale P; Musarra A; Nebiolo F; Ridolo E; Rolla G; Senna G; Schiappoli M; Siracusa A; Voltolini S; Yacoub MR; Zanon P.
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2318/93474
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 7
  • Scopus 24
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 18
social impact