Background: In recent years, studies have shown a protective effect of being raised in a farm environment on the development of hay fever and atopic sensitization. Inconsistent data on the relation of farming to asthma and wheeze have raised some doubt about a true protective effect.
Objective: We sought to study the differential effects of farm-associated exposures on specific asthma-related health outcomes.
Methods: The cross-sectional Prevention of Allergy Risk Factors for Sensitization in Children Related to Farming and Anthroposophic Lifestyle study included 8263 school-age children from rural areas in 5 European countries. Information on farm-related exposures and health outcomes was obtained by using questionnaires. In subsamples allergen-specific IgE and RNA expression of CD14 and Toll-like receptor genes were measured, and dust from children's mattresses was evaluated for microbial components.
Results: Inverse relations with a diagnosis of asthma were found for pig keeping (odds ratio [OR], 0.57; 95% CI, 0.38-0.86), farm milk consumption (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.60-0.99), frequent stay in animal sheds (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.54-0.95), child's involvement in haying (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.38-0.81), and use of silage (OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.31-0.98; for nonatopic asthma) and in Germany for agriculture (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.22-0.53). Protective factors were related with higher expression levels of genes of the innate immunity. Potential risk factors for asthma and wheeze were also identified in the farm milieu. Levels of endotoxin and extracellular polysaccharides were related to the health outcomes independently of the farm exposures.
Conclusions: The protective effect of being raised in a farm environment was ascribed to distinct exposures.
Clinical Implications: The development of atopic sensitization and atopic and nonatopic asthma is most likely determined by different environmental factors, possibly reflecting distinct pathomechanisms.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2007.01.037 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Safe, effective and cost-effective oxygen saturation targets for children and adolescents with respiratory distress: protocol for a randomised controlled trial (OxyKids study).
BMJ Open
December 2024
Department of Paediatrics/Division of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Erasmus MC Sophia Children Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Introduction: Little is known about the effectiveness and safety of oxygen saturation (SpO2) thresholds in children admitted with respiratory distress. The current 90%-94% threshold could lead to prolonged administration of supplemental oxygen, increased duration of hospital admissions, distress for children and families, and healthcare costs. To balance reducing unnecessary oxygen administration and preventing hypoxia, a lower SpO2 threshold of 88% for oxygen supplementation in children has been suggested.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRelationships between Chronic Cough and Asthma Control and Quality-of-Life in Patients with Severe Asthma: A 6-Month Longitudinal Analysis.
J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract
January 2025
Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. Electronic address:
Background: The prevalence and clinical implications of chronic cough (CC) in patients with severe asthma receiving asthma treatment remain relatively unknown.
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between CC and asthma control and quality-of-life (QoL) in patients with severe asthma through longitudinal analysis.
Methods: Baseline and 6-month follow-up data from the Korean Severe Asthma Registry were analyzed.
Comorbidities Associated With Different Degrees of Severity in Children and Young People Hospitalized With Acute COVID-19.
Pediatr Infect Dis J
January 2025
From the Innovation and Global Pediatric Infectious Disease, Biomedical Research Foundation of the University Hospital 12 de Octubre (FIBH12O), Instituto de Investigación Hospital 12 de Octubre (imas12), Madrid, Spain.
In this prospective cohort study with 2326 hospitalized children and young people with coronavirus disease 2019 in Spain and Colombia, 36.4% had comorbidities. Asthma, recurrent wheezing, chronic neurological, cardiac and pulmonary diseases significantly increased the risk of severe outcomes such as death, mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit admission.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPrevalence of self-reported asthma in type 1 diabetes children and its associated predictors.
Allergol Immunopathol (Madr)
January 2025
Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz Research Chair for Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Background: Asthma is considered one of the most common and serious noncommunicable diseases, with high morbidity and mortality rates in both children and adults.
Objectives: To estimate the frequency and to determine the associated factors of self-reported asthma among children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, and 175 subjects having type 1 diabetes for more than 1 year were included from the pediatrics endocrine clinic.
Machine learning-derived asthma and allergy trajectories in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Eur Respir Rev
January 2025
Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Introduction: Numerous studies have characterised trajectories of asthma and allergy in children using machine learning, but with different techniques and mixed findings. The present work aimed to summarise the evidence and critically appraise the methodology.
Methods: 10 databases were searched.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!