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Age Effects on Objective Measures of Atopy in Adult Asthma and Rhinitis

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A cross-sectional survey of 132 adult men referred to the outpatient allergy clinic at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center was performed to assess age effects on allergic disease in the elderly. Total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), immediate hypersensitivity skin testing, and serum eosinophil count were measured in all subjects. Subjects were stratified by age into one of five groups for comparison. In asthma, prevalence of allergy skin test reactivity and mean total serum IgE levels did not decline with advancing age, suggesting that IgE-dependent mechanisms continue to be significant in elderly patients with asthma. In subjects with rhinitis, prevalence of allergy skin test reactivity and mean total serum IgE did decline among elderly subjects relative to younger subjects. However, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis did not decline in the elderly. This suggests that although allergic rhinitis is common in elderly patients, nonallergic causes of rhinitis may become more prevalent with advancing age.

Document Type: Research Article

Publication date: 01 May 2004

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  • Allergy and Asthma Proceedings is a peer reviewed publication dedicated to distributing timely scientific research regarding advancements in the knowledge and practice of allergy, asthma and immunology. Its primary readership consists of allergists and pulmonologists.

    The goal of the Proceedings is to publish articles with a predominantly clinical focus which directly impact quality of care for patients with allergic disease and asthma and by having the potential to directly impact the quality of patient care. AAP welcomes the submission of original works including peer-reviewed original research and clinical trial results. Additionally, as the official journal of the Eastern Allergy Conference (EAC), AAP will publish content from EAC poster sessions as well as review articles derived from EAC lectures.

    Featured topics include asthma, rhinitis, sinusitis, food allergies, allergic skin diseases, diagnostic techniques, allergens, and treatment modalities. Published material includes peer-reviewed original research, clinical trials and review articles.

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    The journal is indexed in Thomson Reuters Web of Science and Science Citation Index Expanded, plus the National Library of Medicine's PubMed service.
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