| In an article published in the September 24th online edition of The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, researchers reviewed data to determine the percentage of asthma cases in the U.S. population attributable to atopy and to examine associations between allergen-specific skin tests and asthma. Data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were reviewed and atopy was defined as at least 1 positive allergen-specific test. Doctor-diagnosed current asthma was assessed by questionnaire. The results showed that 56.3% of asthma cases in the U.S. were attributable to atopy. In addition, of the 10 allergens that were skin tested, a positive response to cat accounted for the highest percentage of asthma cases – nearly 30%. To view the abstract of this study visit http://www.jacionline.org/article/PIIS0091674907014601/abstract. |
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