Patterns of Inhalant Allergen Sensitization and Geographical Variation in Korean Adults: A Multicenter Retrospective...

Area of Science:

• Allergy and Immunology
• Environmental Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Inhalant allergen sensitization is a key factor in allergic respiratory diseases.
• Sensitization results from complex genetic and environmental interactions.
• Allergen prevalence varies geographically, impacting diagnostic panels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the 10 most common inhalant allergens in Korean adults with suspected respiratory allergies.
• To analyze geographical variations in inhalant allergen sensitization patterns.
• To establish a practical allergen panel for Korean populations.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 28,954 Korean adult patient records from 12 allergy clinics.
• Inclusion of patients with suspected respiratory allergies undergoing skin prick testing.
• Definition of positive skin prick response as an allergen-to-histamine wheal ratio ≥1.

Main Results:

• Overall allergic sensitization prevalence was 45.3%.
• The most common allergens were Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus.
• Distinct sensitization patterns were noted in Chungnam and Jeju regions, with specific allergens unique to each area.

Conclusions:

• A panel of 10 common inhalant allergens explains 90% of sensitization in Korean adults.
• This panel serves as a practical tool for primary care and epidemiological surveys.
• Geographical variations necessitate tailored approaches to allergy testing in Korea.