• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제54권12호
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• pp.501-506
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• 2011

Purpose: A high level of air pollutants can increase the number of patients with allergy-related diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR). To analyze the association between air pollution and allergic disease, we investigated 2 areas in Korea: Incheon, an industrial area, and Jeju, a non-industrialized area. Methods: Second grade students at elementary schools (11 schools in Incheon and 45 schools in Jeju) were examined in a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was used and a skin prick test was performed. The levels of $NO_2$, $CO_2$, $O_3$, particulate matter (PM) $PM_{10/2.5}$, formaldehyde, tVOCs, and dust mites in the classrooms and grounds were determined. Results: The levels of outdoor CO, $PM_{10}$, and $PM_{2.5}$ were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). The levels of indoor CO, $CO_2$, $PM_{10}$, $PM_{2.5}$ were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). The prevalence rates of AR symptoms at any time, AR symptoms during the last 12 months, diagnosis of rhinitis at any time, and AR treatment during the last 12 months were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). The prevalence rate of wheezing or whistling at any time, and wheezing during the last 12 months were significantly higher in Incheon (P<0.01). Conclusion: We found that the children living in Incheon, which was more polluted than Jeju, had a higher rate of AR and asthma symptoms compared to children in Jeju. To determine the effect of air pollution on the development of the AR and asthma, further studies are needed.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.115-121
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• 2013

We examined the characteristics of food allergy prevalence and suggested the basis of dietary guidelines for patients with food allergies and atopic dermatitis. A total of 2,417 patients were enrolled in this study. Each subject underwent a skin prick test as well as serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) measurement. A double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge was conducted using milk, eggs, wheat, and soybeans, and an oral food challenge was performed using beef, pork, and chicken. Food allergy prevalence was found among 50.7% in patients with atopic dermatitis. Among patients with food allergies (n = 1,225), the prevalence of non-IgE-mediated food allergies, IgE-mediated food allergies, and mixed allergies was discovered in 94.9%, 2.2%, and 2.9% of the patients, respectively. Food allergy prevalence, according to food item, was as follows: eggs = 21.6%, milk = 20.9%, wheat = 11.8%, soybeans = 11.7%, chicken = 11.7%, pork = 8.9% and beef = 9.2%. The total number of reactions to different food items in each patient was also variable at 45.1%, 30.6%, 15.3%, 5.8%, 2.2%, and 1.0% for 1 to 6 reactions, respectively. The most commonly seen combination in patients with two food allergies was eggs and milk. The clinical severity of the reactions observed in the challenge test, in the order of most to least severe, were wheat, beef, soybeans, milk, pork, eggs, and chicken. The minimum and maximum onset times of food allergy reactions were 0.2-24 hrs for wheat, 0.5-48 hrs for beef, 1.0-24 hrs for soybeans, 0.7-24 hrs for milk, 3.0-24 hrs for pork, 0.01-72 hrs for eggs, and 3.0-72 hrs for chicken. In our study, we examined the characteristics of seven popular foods. It will be necessary, however, to study a broader range of foods for the establishment of a dietary guideline. Our results suggest that it may be helpful to identify food allergies in order to improve symptoms in patients with atopic dermatitis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제71권1호
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• pp.24-29
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• 2011

Background: The rising prevalence of asthma worldwide may be associated with the rising prevalence of obesity in developed nations. Although several studies have suggested a relationship between asthma and obesity, controversy still remains. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between obesity and asthmatic factors such as atopy, eosinophilia, serum total Ig E and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in chronic cough patients. Methods: This study was a retrospective, observational study in two centers done between January 2007 and June 2008. The subjects included individuals who had a chronic cough. We examined body mass index (BMI) to measure obesity and pulmonary function. We did a metacholine provocation test for airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), a skin prick test for atopy, and tests for blood eosinophils and serum IgE. Results: A total of 1022 subjects were included. Airway hyperresponsiveness was not related with obesity (p=0.06), and atopy incidence was significant higher in non obese patients (p=0.00). There was no significant difference in serum IgE and blood eosinophil counts between obese and non obese patients. Forced expiratory volue in one second ($FEV_1$)/forced vital capacity (FVC) was significantly reduced in obese patients (p=0.03), but FEV1 and FVC were no significant difference between obese and non obese patients. Conclusion: There is no relationship between obesity and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. The nonobese group appears to have more atopy. The relationship between obesity and bronchial hyperresponsiveness and atopy need further investigation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.159-166
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• 1992

연구배경 : 설파이트제제는 음식물, 음료 그리고 기관지확장제를 포함한 여러 의약품 등에서 방부제 및 산화방지제로 널리 사용되는 첨가제이나, 아낙필락시스, 담마, 혈관부종, 복통, 기관지경련등의 부작용이 보고된 후 그 사용을 제한하게 되었다. 여러 저자들에 의해서 스테로이드 의존형 기관지 천식환자에서 설파이트 과민성에 대한 보고가 있어, 이에 저자들은 설파이트 과민성 천식으로 확진된 환자들의 임상적 특성을 관찰하고자 하였다. 방법 : 스테로이드 의존형 기관지 천식 환자 17명에서 설파이트(sodium bisulfite) 경구 유발시험을 실시하여 10명의 설파이트 과민성 천식 환자를 확진하고 그들의 임상적 특성을 살펴보았을 때 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 결과 : 1) 임상증상으로 기관지 천식과 비염증세가 동반된 경우가 8예 였으며, 천식만 가진 경우가 2예, 담마진을 동반한 경우는 없었다. 병력상 음식이나 약물 복용시 천식 증상이 악화된 경우가 8예 있었으며 이들 환자 모두에서 내원 당시 경구 스테로이드를 필요로 하는 심한 스테로이드 의존형 기관지 천식이였다. 또한 아스파린 과민성을 동반한 경우도 4예 있었다. 2) 검사실 소견상 천식 발작 당시 평균 혈중 총호산구수는 $844/mm^3$였고, 총 IgE-PRIST 치가 1000 IU/ml 이상으로 상승된 경우가 1예 있었다. 알레르기 피부반응 검사 및 IgE-RAST는 10예 모두에서 음성으로 내인성 천식 소견을 나타내었으며, 메타콜린 기관지 유발시험상 대부분이 낮은 농도 (0.22~2.1 mg/ml)에서 양성반응을 나타냈었다. 3) Sodium bisulfite (100 mg/ml) 피부 단자시험상 6예중 3예에서 양성 반응을 나타내었으며, sodium bisulfte 경구 유발검사상 50내지 100mg 투여후 전 예에서 30분이내 즉각적으로 심한 기관지 수축 반응이 관찰되었다. 4) 이들 환자를 천식에 관한 약물치료와 함께 설파이트가 포함된 음식물과 약제를 피하면서 추적 관찰(1~18개월) 한 결과, 대부분 (90%)의 환자에서 경구 스테로이드 요구량이 50%이상 감소하거나 끊을 수 있었다. 결론 : 이상의 결과로 임상 증상이 심한 스테로이드 의존형 내인성 천식 환자들에게는 설파이트에 대한 과민성 유무를 조사하고 이에 대한 적절한 치료 및 대응이 필요할 것으로 여겨진다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제47권6호
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• pp.817-823
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• 1999

연구배경: 전북지역은 최근에 도시화와 공업화가 이루어 진 곳으로서 생활환경 변화에 따라 알레르기 환자에서 원인 알레르겐의 종류나 감작률에 있어서도 변화가 있으리라 여겨진다. 방 법: 1984년 2월부터 1985년 2월 사이와 1997년 2월부터 1998년 2월 사이에 전북대 병원 알레르기 내과를 방문한 알레르기 환자 201명과 339명을 대상으로 피부단자시험과 RAST를 실시하여 원인 알레르겐의 변화 추세를 비교 분석하여 보았다. 결 과: 한가지 이상의 항원에 양성을 보인 환자는 전체 대상 환자중 149명(74.2%)과 257명(75.8%)으로 유의한 차이는 없었다(p=0.664). 항원의 종류에 따른 감작률의 비교에서 1) 꽃가루군에 대해서는 차이가 없었다(35.8% vs 30.1 %, p=0.17). 2) 집먼지 진드기군에 대한 감작률의 감소가 있었다(66.1% vs 56.3%, p=0.02). 3) 곰팡이군, 동물털 및 비듬군에 대한 감작률은 감소하였다(p<0.001). 결 론: 위생상태의 개선에 따라 이와 관련있는 알레르겐의 감작률이 감소됨을 알 수 있었는데, 이에 대한 더욱 넓은 지역에서의 연구가 필요하리라 사료된다.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.735-749
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• 2020

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate airborne pollen counts, inhalant allergen sensitization rate, and allergic disease prevalence among elementary school children in Ulsan, South Korea during 2012-2018. Methods: Burkard samplers for pollen were installed on rooftops in suburban and urban areas in Ulsan. A 24-hour sampling of airborne allergens was conducted six days/week from January 1, 2013 to November 31, 2018. Skin prick tests were done with a total of 4,246 primary school students residing in urban and suburban areas in 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018. This study examined sensitization to 20 major inhalant allergens. Results: The highest monthly counts of airborne pollen were observed in April and September each year. Among the pollen identified over the six years, pine showed the highest pollen counts (44.3%), followed by oak (22.3%), alder (6.3%) and Japanese hops (4.3%). Tree pollen predominated from March to June, and weed pollen predominated from August to October. Higher sensitization rates for inhalant allergens were observed in Dermatophagoides farinae (42.4%), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (43.6%), cat fur (12.1%), birch (9.9%), oak (9.6%), and alder (8.7%). The inhalant allergen sensitization rate was highest in the group with comorbidity (asthma and/or rhinitis and atopic dermatitis), and respiratory allergic disease (asthma and/or rhinitis) was higher than that of atopic dermatitis. Conclusion: Both the counts of tree pollen in the air and the sensitization rate for tree pollen were high in Ulsan. The temporal change in respiratory allergic diseases was similar to that for the sensitization rate of tree pollen, such as oak. In the future, it is considered that additional continuous research on various inhalant allergens and pollen should be conducted.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제54권4호
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• pp.386-394
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• 2003

연구배경 : 만성폐쇄성폐질환과 기관지 천식은 만성 기도 염증과 기류 장애를 특징으로 하고 있으며, 일부에서는 합병되어 나타나기도 한다고 알려져 있으나 그 정도에 대한 연구는 미미한 실정이다. 저자는 두 질환의 병태 생리의 차이와 합병 정도를 평가하기 위하여 본 연구를 시행하였다. 방 법 : 만성폐쇄성폐질환과 기관지 천식의 진단은 미국 흉부학회의 지침서 기준에 의하였고, 대상 환자들에게는 폐기능 검사, 최대호기유속 측정, 속효성 ${\beta}_2$-항진제에 대한 기관지 반응성, methacholine 유발 반응 검사, 객담내 호산구치 및 ECP, 혈청내 총 IgE치, 알레르기 피부반응 검사 등을 시행하였다. 결 과 : 대상 환자 59명중 남자가 49명, 평균 연령은 66.46세, 흡연자가 42명이었다. 속효성 ${\beta}_2$-항진제에 대한 양성 반응을 보인 경우는 37.3%였으며, 최대 호기유속 측정상 일중 변이성을 보인 경우는 47.5%이었고, 두 가지 검사에 모두 양성을 보인 경우는 27.1%이었다. 만성폐쇄성폐질환과 기관지 천식이 합병된 환자의 유도객담은 호산구와 ECP농도의 유의한 상승을 보였다. 그러나 기관지 천식이 합병되지 않은 만성폐쇄성폐질환 환자의 유도 객담에서는 중성구의 유의한 상승을 관찰할 수 있었다. 또한 중증의 만성폐쇄성폐질환 환자에서 최대호기유속의 변화율은 현저히 감소하였지만 천식의 합병과 만성폐쇄성폐질환의 중증도간에는 상관관계를 보이지 않았다. 결 론 : 이상의 결과를 요약하면 중등도와 중증의 환기장애를 동반한 만성폐쇄성폐질환 환자의 약 27% 정도에서 기관지 천식이 동반되었으나, 환기장애의 중증도와 기관지 천식의 합병률 간에는 유의한 차이가 없었다.

• Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research
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• 제10권6호
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• pp.648-661
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• 2018

Purpose: Pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS) is an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergy in pollinosis patients caused by raw fruits and vegetables and is the most common food allergy in adults. However, there has been no nationwide study on PFAS in Korea. In this study, we investigated the prevalence and clinical characteristics of PFAS in Korea. Methods: Twenty-two investigators participated in this study, in which patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and/or bronchial asthma with pollen allergy were enrolled. The questionnaires included demographic characteristics, a list of fruits and vegetables, and clinical manifestations of food allergy. Pollen allergy was diagnosed by skin prick test and/or measurement of the serum level of specific IgE. Results: A total of 648 pollinosis patients were enrolled. The prevalence of PFAS was 41.7% (n = 270). PFAS patients exhibited cutaneous (43.0%), respiratory (20.0%), cardiovascular (3.7%) or neurologic symptoms (4.8%) in addition to oropharyngeal symptoms. Anaphylaxis was noted in 8.9% of the PFAS patients. Seventy types of foods were linked to PFAS; e.g., peach (48.5%), apple (46.7%), kiwi (30.4%), peanut (17.4%), plum (16.3%), chestnut (14.8%), pineapple (13.7%), walnut (14.1%), Korean melon (12.6%), tomato (11.9%), melon (11.5%) and apricot (10.7%). Korean foods such as taro/taro stem (8.9%), ginseong (8.2%), perilla leaf (4.4%), bellflower root (4.4%), crown daisy (3.0%), deodeok (3.3%), kudzu root (3.0%) and lotus root (2.6%) were also linked to PFAS. Conclusions: This was the first nationwide study of PFAS in Korea. The prevalence of PFAS was 41.7%, and 8.9% of the PFAS patients had anaphylaxis. These results will provide clinically useful information to physicians.