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Association between latitude and allergic diseases: a longitudinal study from childhood to middle-age
Citation
Oktaria, V and Dharmage, SC and Burgess, JA and Simpson, JA and Morrison, S and Giles, GG and Abramson, MJ and Walters, EH and Matheson, MC, Association between latitude and allergic diseases: a longitudinal study from childhood to middle-age, Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, 110, (2) pp. 80-85. ISSN 1081-1206 (2013) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright 2013 Elsevier
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.anai.2012.11.005
Abstract
Background: Worldwide variations in allergy prevalence suggest that geographic factors may contribute to asthma. Ecologic studies have suggested that latitude, a marker of UV-B exposure and allergen exposures, may be related to clinical allergies.
Objective: To examine the relationship between latitude or UV-B based on self-reported geolocation and allergic sensitization and disease prevalence in Australia.
Methods: The Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study is a population-based study of respiratory disease spanning childhood to adulthood. The most recent follow-up included a postal survey of 5,729 participants and a clinical substudy of 1,396 participants. Participants' residential addresses were coded for latitude and linked with the UV-B data from satellite-based observations of atmospheric ozone. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the associations between latitude or UV-B and allergic diseases.
Results: Most northerly latitude, that is, latitude closest to the Equator, and high current UV-B exposure were associated with increased odds of hay fever, food allergy, and skin sensitization to house dust mites and molds. More northerly latitude and higher UV-B exposure were associated with increased odds of current asthma among atopic individuals contrasting with a reduced odds of current asthma among nonatopic individuals.
Conclusion: This is the first study, to our knowledge, to demonstrate a differential effect of atopic status on the relationship between latitude and current asthma. Our study demonstrates in a genetically and culturally similar group of individuals that geographic factors may a play role in the development of allergic disease.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | allergy |
Research Division: | Biomedical and Clinical Sciences |
Research Group: | Cardiovascular medicine and haematology |
Research Field: | Respiratory diseases |
Objective Division: | Health |
Objective Group: | Clinical health |
Objective Field: | Clinical health not elsewhere classified |
UTAS Author: | Walters, EH (Professor Haydn Walters) |
ID Code: | 84774 |
Year Published: | 2013 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 20 |
Deposited By: | Medicine |
Deposited On: | 2013-05-30 |
Last Modified: | 2017-11-07 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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