Allergic sensitization prevalence in a children and adolescent population of northeastern Greece region

To evaluate the prevalence of allergic sensitization in a childhood and adolescent population, to explore age- and gender-specific variations and finally to discover co-sensitivities among allergens.

A two-stage cross-sectional survey among school-aged children. The two stages of the study involved enrollment of schools and then skin prick testing (SPT) within schools. A total of 675 school children were included in the study. Of those, 231 were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis (AR), according to the medical history as provided by parental-completed questionnaires and positive SPT results. The antigen panel consisted of common allergens and more specifically house dust mites-HDM (Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus), grass mix, trees (olive, cypress and pine), weeds (Parietaria spp.), cat and dog epithelium and moulds (Alternaria spp., Cladosporium spp.). The SPT sensitivity was graded according to SPT-USA Standards.

The overall prevalence rate of AR was 34.22%. In total, 93 school children (40.3%) were mono- and 138 (59.7%) were poly-sensitized. Overall, the most prevalent sensitizations in decreasing order were to HDM (59.74%), to grasses (48.9%), to Alternaria (34.6%) and to olive (14.71%). There were no age- and sex-specific differences, except for Alternaria mould that showed a significant prevalence among primary school-aged children and predominance in the female gender, by contrast to grass pollen allergy that was predominant to males. A 32% of SPT-positive individuals were not aware of their allergy, with no statistically significant differences between ages. Co-sensitivities were detected for grass pollens and pine and olive trees, for Alternaria and Cladosporium moulds, for cypress and pine trees, and finally for dog and cat danders.

Given data among school-aged children should be a baseline from which to monitor disease trends and is considered important for the optimal management of AR patients.