Cockroach hypersensitivity in asthmatics in Lagos, Nigeria.

Area of Science:

• Allergy and Immunology
• Respiratory Medicine
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Cockroach allergy is a significant trigger for asthma, particularly in urban environments with high infestation rates.
• The prevalence and contributing factors of cockroach allergy among asthmatics in Nigeria remain largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of cockroach allergy in asthmatic patients residing in Lagos, Nigeria.
• To explore potential associations between cockroach sensitization and various demographic and clinical factors in asthmatic individuals.

Main Methods:

• A prospective case-control study was conducted at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
• Two hundred and two asthma patients and one hundred non-asthmatic controls underwent skin prick testing with cockroach allergen.
• Skin reactions were assessed 15 minutes post-administration to determine cockroach sensitization.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of cockroach allergy was observed, with 44.6% of asthmatic patients showing positive skin tests compared to 9% in controls.
• Cockroach sensitivity in asthmatics was significantly associated with age, asthma duration, nocturnal attacks, attack frequency, and infestation levels.
• No significant relationship was found between cockroach sensitivity and residential location or income status.

Conclusions:

• Cockroach allergy is a prevalent issue among asthmatics in Lagos, necessitating targeted interventions.
• Further research is recommended to fully understand the scope and management of cockroach allergy in this population.