The sensitization pattern differs according to rhinitis and asthma multimorbidity in adults: the EGEA study

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Allergology
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• Allergic sensitization, including mono- and polysensitization, defines IgE-mediated allergic phenotypes.
• While linked to asthma and rhinitis in children, the association between sensitization patterns and adult asthma/rhinitis multimorbidity is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between allergic sensitization patterns and the presence of asthma, rhinitis, and their combined occurrence (multimorbidity).

Main Methods:

• 1199 adults from the EGEA study were phenotyped using skin prick tests (10 allergens), total IgE, and blood eosinophils.
• Participants were categorized into six groups based on asthma and rhinitis status via questionnaires.
• Sensitization was defined as positive skin prick tests to one (mono) or more allergens (poly).

Main Results:

• Polysensitization was highest (65%) in participants with both asthma and allergic rhinitis.
• Non-sensitized individuals were most common in asymptomatic and non-allergic rhinitis groups (around 72%).
• Total IgE levels correlated with sensitization, and eosinophils increased with asthma, particularly when co-occurring with rhinitis.

Conclusions:

• Allergic sensitization and polysensitization rates differ substantially based on asthma and rhinitis status.
• The study highlights the importance of considering asthma-rhinitis multimorbidity.
• Allergic sensitization is a complex spectrum, not a simple binary condition.