Drug utilization among young adults with atopic dermatitis: Influence of sex, socio-economic status and disease severity.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) affects individuals of all ages, and the first-line treatment are emollients and topical corticosteroids. There is insufficient knowledge about factors possibly affecting the drug utilization of young adults with AD. OBJECTIVES: To describe the drug utilization of young adults with AD in relation to sex, socio-economic status and disease severity. METHODS: A cross-sectional study based on the 24-year follow-up from the population-based BAMSE (Children, Allergy, Milieu, Stockholm, Epidemiology Survey) birth cohort linked with dispensing data from the National Drug Register (n = 2912). Self-reported AD and socio-economic status were defined from questionnaire data and disease severity was determined through the clinical examination and Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure questionnaire. RESULTS: The prevalence of AD in young adults was 17.7% (n = 516) and 45.5% of them were dispensed at least one drug for the treatment of AD during the study period (January 2016 to June 2019). Topical corticosteroids (TCS) were the most common drugs (32.9%) followed by emollients (21.7%). A larger proportion of men were dispensed TCS than women (39.0% vs. 29.1%: p-value = 0.020). A larger proportion of young adults with moderate-to-severe AD were dispensed TCS than those with mild AD (52.6% vs. 35.3%: p-value = 0.026). No one was dispensed the recommended amount of emollients and less than five individuals were dispensed the recommended amount of TCS for mild disease. Male sex (adj.OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.06-2.34) and moderate-to-severe AD (adj.OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.59-4.31) were associated with dispensation of TCS. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of young adults with AD was undertreated or untreated. Sex and disease severity did affect the dispensing patterns of investigated drugs.

Childhood atopic dermatitis is associated with cardiovascular risk factors in young adulthood-A population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Studies have indicated that atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, data are conflicting. Furthermore, the longitudinal effect of childhood AD on cardiovascular risk factors in young adulthood is less investigated. OBJECTIVES: To assess associations between AD in childhood and CVD risk factors in young adulthood. METHODS: The study encompasses longitudinal data from a population-based birth cohort. Participants with data up to age 24 years were included (n = 2270). The primary outcomes were body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), body fat per cent (BF%) and blood pressure (BP) at 24 years. The secondary outcome was blood lipids. Severe AD was defined as AD in combination with sleep disturbance due to itching. RESULTS: In total, 18.6% (n = 420) had AD at 24 years. Males with AD had higher BMI (ßAdj. 0.81, 95% CI 0.15-1.47), BF% (ßAdj. 1.19, 95% CI 0.09-2.29), systolic BP (ßAdj. 1.92, 95% CI 0.02-3.82), total cholesterol (ßAdj. 0.14, 95% CI 0.00-0.28) and LDL cholesterol (ßAdj. 0.15, 95% CI 0.02-0.27) compared with males without AD. No associations were seen in females. Current AD with prepubertal onset was associated with increased BMI in both males (ßAdj. 0.89, 95% CI 0.11-1.67) and females (ßAdj. 0.72, 95% CI 0.11-1.33). At 24 years, 23.1% (n = 97) of all with AD, had severe disease, which was significantly associated with overweight in both sexes, with BMI (ßAdj. 1.83, 95% CI 0.72-2.94), WC (ßAdj. 4.03, 95% CI 1.54-6.52) and BF% (ßAdj. 2.49, 95% CI 0.60-4.39) in females and with BF% (ßAdj. 2.96, 95% CI 0.23-5.69) in males, compared with peers with mild to moderate AD. CONCLUSION: AD in males appears to be associated with CVD risk factors in young adulthood. The duration and severity of AD seem to be of importance in both sexes.

A Qualitative Evaluation and Cross-Cultural Adaptation of the Short Form of the Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-13) in Nepali.

Background Sense of Coherence (SOC) relates to an individual's overall life orientation, and stronger SOC is associated with better health, quality of life, and coping strategies. When our research group used the SOC-13 questionnaire for the first time in Nepal, we identified difficulties in response patterns. The findings necessitated further evaluation of the Nepali version of the SOC-13 questionnaire. Objective To qualitatively evaluate the SOC-13 questionnaire in Nepali for cross-cultural adaptation. Method Nineteen nurses were interviewed. We used the methodological approach of "think aloud" to obtain a deeper understanding of the interferences of the scales. Transcribed materials were analyzed using a deductive approach through qualitative content analysis. The original translated version of the SOC-13 questionnaire in Nepali was modified by replacing words that were easier to understand. Result Participants found the questionnaire content general and non-specific but easy to complete. The nurses experienced that the meanings and sentences in some of the items and response alternatives were difficult to understand. However, the overall comprehensiveness of most items and response alternatives was perceived as good. Nurses' interpretation of the SOC-items in the translated version of the SOC-13 questionnaire in Nepali matched the original English version. Items that were experienced as difficult in the Nepali language were modified to increase their comprehensiveness. Modified items and response alternatives had the same content as before, but some words and meanings were substituted with easier language. Conclusion The current revised version of SOC-13 in Nepali is valid and useful to explore individuals' overall life orientation and their abilities to deal and cope with various life events in the Nepalese context.

Prevalence and characteristics of atopic dermatitis among young adult females and males-report from the Swedish population-based study BAMSE.

BACKGROUND: There is limited knowledge regarding prevalence and characteristics of atopic dermatitis (AD) among young adults in the general population. OBJECTIVES: To study AD among young adults in a Swedish population-based birth cohort, with a particular focus on prevalence, sex differences including risk for AD at different ages, disease course and characteristics of AD at 24 years. METHODS: The BAMSE cohort includes 4089 individuals who have been followed regularly from birth to age 24 years regarding AD and atopic diseases. For this study 3055 individuals who answered questions regarding AD at the 24-year follow-up were included. All were invited to a clinical examination including skin examination, evaluation by William's criteria and collection of blood for analysis of specific IgE, and 2264 individuals chose to participate. RESULTS: At 24 years, the 12-month prevalence of AD was 17.8% and more females than males had AD (20.5% vs. 14.8%), P < 0.0001. The point prevalence of ongoing AD at clinical examination was 8.0%. AD severity as assessed by Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) did not differ between sexes. The proportion of adult onset of AD was 16.9% (92 of 543), females 17.3% vs. males 16.4%. More females than males with AD at 24 years reported disturbed sleep due to itch (26.1% vs. 15.5%, P < 0.003). IgE sensitization was less common among females with AD than males with AD (61.3% vs. 79.6%, P < 0.0001). In addition, male sex (female sex being the reference) was associated with increased odds for AD the first year of life (OR: 1.31, 95% CI; 1.10-1.56), and decreased odds of AD in adolescence and young adulthood (OR: 0.66, 95% CI; 0.55-0.80). CONCLUSIONS: Atopic dermatitis is a common disease among young adults, and even though more females than males have AD at 24 years, adult onset of AD seems to be equally prevalent among both sexes in young adulthood.

Determination and Evaluation of Sense of Coherence in Women in Semi-urban Nepal: A part of the Heart-health Associated Research, Dissemination, and Intervention in the Community (HARDIC) Trial.

Background Sense of coherence (SOC) is a core concept of salutogenesis which relates to individuals' overall life orientation. Stronger SOC associates with better coping strategies, better health, and better quality of life. Although the SOC-questionnaire is validated in many cultures and languages, it has not, to date, been applied in Nepal. Objective To determine and evaluate women's SOC before and after a health education intervention. Method This study was conducted as a part of the Heart-health Associated Research, Dissemination, and Intervention in the Community in the semi-urban JhaukhelDuwakot Health Demographic Surveillance Site in Nepal. Jhaukhel and Duwakot were selected as the control and intervention areas, respectively. Participants were women with children aged 1-7 years. Eight hundred and fifty-seven women before and 1,268 women after the health education intervention participated in the study. The statistical analysis was carried out with chi-square tests and one-way uni-variate ANOVA. Result Women's total SOC mean values at baseline were 51.1-57.4 and at follow up 54.4-54.9 in the intervention and control area, respectively. At baseline, SOC was significantly weaker in the intervention area compared to the control area (p < 0.001). At followup three months later, SOC was significantly stronger in the intervention area than in the control area (p < 0.001). Conclusion Nepalese women had weaker SOC than women in high-income countries, but comparable to neighboring country India with similar cultural features. Empowerment of women through community participation and health education strengthened SOC. The SOC-13-questionnaire in its Nepali version is recommended to be further evaluated.

Risk factors for surgical site infection associated with clean surgical procedures in dogs.

Surgical site infection (SSI) is associated with increased morbidity, cost and mortality in human medicine and with increased morbidity and cost in veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors for SSI development after clean surgical procedures in dogs, treated at both first opinion clinics as well as referral hospitals. 1550 dogs scored 1 or 2 according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), that underwent clean surgical procedures at 103 clinics located in Northern and Central Europe were included in the study. Data regarding the surgical procedure, surgery time use of perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis (AMP), surgery type, intraoperative hypothermia, and the use of surgical implants were recorded according to predefined protocols. Active 30-day SSI surveillance was performed. A random effects logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association between the perioperative variables and SSI development. SSI was detected in 85/1550 dogs (5.5%); 25 occurred in the 500 orthopedic/neurosurgery procedures (5.0%), and 60 in the 1050 soft tissue procedures (5.7%). A total of 1524 dogs were included in the final multivariable model. Increased surgery time was the only variable associated with an increased risk of SSI. No association between the other risk factors evaluated in the study and SSI occurrence was detected. Efforts must therefore be made to keep the surgery time as short as possible. Orthopedic and neurosurgical procedures including those where an implant is placed should not automatically be regarded as high-risk procedures benefiting from perioperative AMP.

Impact of maternal body mass index and gestational weight gain on pregnancy complications: an individual participant data meta-analysis of European, North American and Australian cohorts.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the separate and combined associations of maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain with the risks of pregnancy complications and their population impact. DESIGN: Individual participant data meta-analysis of 39 cohorts. SETTING: Europe, North America, and Oceania. POPULATION: 265 270 births. METHODS: Information on maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, and pregnancy complications was obtained. Multilevel binary logistic regression models were used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, small and large for gestational age at birth. RESULTS: Higher maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain were, across their full ranges, associated with higher risks of gestational hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, and large for gestational age at birth. Preterm birth risk was higher at lower and higher BMI and weight gain. Compared with normal weight mothers with medium gestational weight gain, obese mothers with high gestational weight gain had the highest risk of any pregnancy complication (odds ratio 2.51, 95% CI 2.31- 2.74). We estimated that 23.9% of any pregnancy complication was attributable to maternal overweight/obesity and 31.6% of large for gestational age infants was attributable to excessive gestational weight gain. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain are, across their full ranges, associated with risks of pregnancy complications. Obese mothers with high gestational weight gain are at the highest risk of pregnancy complications. Promoting a healthy pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain may reduce the burden of pregnancy complications and ultimately the risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Promoting a healthy body mass index and gestational weight gain might reduce the population burden of pregnancy complications.

Atopic dermatitis at preschool age and contact allergy in adolescence: a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by an impaired skin barrier, which can allow enhanced penetration of allergens. It is not clear whether AD influences the risk of developing contact allergy. OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between AD at preschool age and contact allergy at 16 years of age. METHODS: At 16 years of age, 2215 adolescents from the population-based cohort BAMSE were included. These adolescents had been followed with repeated questionnaires regarding AD throughout childhood, and contact allergy was assessed by skin patch test at 16 years. RESULTS: AD at preschool age was associated with contact allergy to at least one of the tested substances at 16 years of age among boys [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1·51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·03-2·20] but not among girls (adjusted OR 0·77, 95% CI 0·54-1·10). AD at preschool age was not associated with contact allergy to nickel in either boys or girls. In contrast, AD at preschool age was associated with contact allergy to fragrance mix I (adjusted OR 3·10, 95% CI 1·66-5·80). This association was observed especially for AD at preschool age in combination with IgE sensitization to airborne or food allergens (adjusted OR 3·80, 95% CI 1·67-8·61). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that AD in early childhood may be associated with contact allergy to fragrances, but not to nickel, in adolescence.

Pelagic food webs of humic lakes show low short-term response to forest harvesting.

Forest harvest in the boreal zone can increase the input of terrestrial materials such as dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and nitrate (NO3- ) into nearby aquatic ecosystems, with potential effects on phytoplankton growth through enhanced nutrient (i.e., positive) or reduced light availability (i.e., negative), which may affect ecosystem productivity and consumer resource use. Here, we conducted forest clear-cutting experiments in the catchments of four small, humic, and nitrogen-limited unproductive boreal lakes (two controls and two clear-cut, 18% and 44% of area cut) with one reference and two impact years. Our aim was to assess the effects of forest clear-cutting on pelagic biomass production and consumer resource use. We found that pelagic biomass production did not change after two years of forest clear-cutting: Pelagic primary and bacterial production (PP, BP), PP:BP ratio, chl a, and seston carbon (seston C) were unaffected by clear-cutting; neither did tree harvest affect seston stoichiometry (i.e., N:phosphorus [P], C:P) nor induce changes in zooplankton resource use, biomass, or community composition. In conclusion, our findings suggest that pelagic food webs of humic lakes (DOC > 15 mg/L) might be resilient to a moderate form of forest clear-cutting, at least two years after tree removal, before mechanical site preparation (e.g., mounding, plowing) and when leaving buffer strips along lakes and incoming streams. Thus, pelagic food web responses to forest clear-cutting might not be universal, but could depend on factors such as the time scale, share of catchment logged, and the forest practices involved, including the application of buffer strips and site preparation.

Implementation of a facilitation intervention to improve postpartum care in a low-resource suburb of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

BACKGROUND: Implementation of evidence into practice is inadequate in many low-income countries, contributing to the low-quality care of mothers and newborns. This study explored strategies used in a facilitation intervention to improve postpartum care (IPPC) in a low-resource suburb in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The intervention was conducted during 1 year in government-owned health institutions providing reproductive and child health services. The institutions were divided into six clusters based on geographic proximity, and the healthcare providers of postpartum care (PPC) (n = 100) in these institutions formed IPPC teams. Each team was supported by a locally recruited facilitator who was trained in PPC, group dynamics, and quality improvement. The IPPC teams reflected on their practices, identified problems and solutions for improving PPC, enacted change, and monitored the adopted actions. METHODS: A qualitative design was employed using data from focus group discussions with healthcare providers (n = 8) and facilitators (n = 2), and intervention documentation. The discussions were conducted in Kiswahili, lasted for 45-90 min, were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and translated into English. Thematic analysis guided the analysis. RESULTS: Four main strategies were identified in the data: (1) Increasing awareness and knowledge of PPC by HCPs and mothers was an overarching strategy applied in training, meetings, and clinical practice; (2) The mobilization of professional and material resources was achieved through unleashing of the IPPC teams' own potential to conduct PPC and act as change agents; (3) Improving documentation and communication; and (4) Promoting an empowering and collaborative working style were other strategies applied to improve daily care routines. The facilitators encouraged teamwork and networking among IPPC teams within and between institutions. CONCLUSION: This facilitation intervention is a promising approach for implementing evidence and improving quality of PPC in a low-resource setting. Context-specific actions taken by the facilitators and healthcare providers are likely integral to the successfulness of implementing evidence into practice. The results contribute to increasing the understanding of facilitation as an intervention and can be useful for researchers, HCPs, and policymakers when improving quality of postpartum care, particularly in low-income settings.

Use of emollients and topical glucocorticoids among adolescents with eczema: data from the population-based birth cohort BAMSE.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge regarding how adolescents treat their eczema is sparse. OBJECTIVES: To explore the use of emollients and topical glucocorticoids in adolescents with eczema in relation to sex and disease severity, and to study dispensing patterns of topical glucocorticoids. METHODS: Questionnaire-based data on symptoms of eczema, eczema severity and treatment with emollients and topical glucocorticoids were obtained from 3108 adolescents in the Swedish population-based birth cohort BAMSE. Severity of reported eczema was evaluated with the BAMSE Eczema Severity Score (BESS) in a questionnaire and with the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure in clinically examined patients with current eczema (n = 247). Information on dispensed topical glucocorticoids was obtained from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. RESULTS: In all, 10% of the adolescents reported eczema in the preceding year: 73% mild, 17% moderate and 10% severe according to BESS. Almost all used emollients, whereas use of topical glucocorticoids was reported by 55%, with no significant difference between sexes. The likelihood of treatment with emollients and topical glucocorticoids increased when the adolescents had symptoms of current eczema [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 5·95, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·90-18·8], but not if they had more severe eczema compared with mild eczema (adjusted OR 1·57, 95% CI 0·58-4·25). Among those with reported eczema, 24% had a topical glucocorticoid dispensed in the preceding year, and among those with moderate-to-severe current eczema 24% had a dispensed potent topical glucocorticoid. CONCLUSIONS: This population-based study indicates that adolescents with eczema are undertreated or completely untreated, even those with severe eczema.

Environmental peanut exposure increases the risk of peanut sensitization in high-risk children.

BACKGROUND: High household peanut consumption is associated with the development of peanut allergy, especially when peanut allergic cases are compared against atopic controls; thus, environmental peanut exposure (EPE) may be a risk factor for peanut sensitization and allergy. In this study, we explored the relationship between EPE and school-age peanut sensitization in a population-based cohort. METHODS: Maternal bed dust was collected postnatally, and EPE was quantified using a polyclonal peanut ELISA. Peanut sensitization was assessed by specific IgE to peanut extract and sIgE to peanut protein component allergens Ara h 1, 2 or 3 ≥ 0.35kU/L (primary peanut sensitization). Initial nested case-control analysis was performed comparing peanut-sensitized cases against high-risk controls (matched for parental atopy) (n = 411) using a conditional regression analysis. This was followed by whole cohort analysis (n = 1878) comparing EPE against peanut sIgE sensitization at ages 4 and 8 years using generalized estimating equations and against primary peanut sensitization at age 8 years using a logistic regression model. Finally, a subgroup analysis was performed comparing the impact of EPE in peanut-sensitized vs egg-sensitized, peanut-tolerant individuals using logistic regression analysis. Levels of EPE were compared between groups using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: In the nested case-control analysis, a higher level of EPE around birth was associated with peanut-specific IgE sensitization at age 4 years (OR=1.41, 95% CI:1.05-1.90) and primary peanut sensitization at age 8 years (OR=2.11, 95% CI:1.38-3.22) compared against high-risk controls. When the whole BAMSE cohort was assessed, EPE was no longer associated with peanut sensitization; however, on subgroup analysis, EPE was associated with primary peanut sensitization when compared against egg-sensitized peanut-tolerant controls with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.44 per unit EPE (95% CI:1.06-1.94). There was no significant interaction between EPE and FLG loss-of-function mutations, egg sensitization at age 4 years, infantile eczema or parental atopy on peanut sensitization. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of environmental exposure to peanut in the first few months of life appear to increase the probability of developing school-age peanut sensitization in atopic children (based on egg sensitization and parental atopy).

Nitrogen effects on the pelagic food web are modified by dissolved organic carbon.

Global environmental change has altered the nitrogen (N) cycle and enhanced terrestrial dissolved organic carbon (DOC) loadings to northern boreal lakes. However, it is still unclear how enhanced N availability affects pelagic food web efficiency (FWE) and crustacean zooplankton growth in N limited boreal lakes. Here, we performed in situ mesocosm experiments in six unproductive boreal Swedish lakes, paired across a DOC gradient, with one lake in each pair fertilized with N (2011: reference year; 2012, 2013: impact years). We assessed how zooplankton growth and FWE were affected by changes in pelagic energy mobilization (PEM), food chain length (phytoplankton versus bacterial production based food chain, i.e. PP:BP), and food quality (seston stoichiometry) in response to N fertilization. Although PP, PEM and PP:BP increased in low and medium DOC lakes after N fertilization, consumer growth and FWE were reduced, especially at low DOC-potentially due to reduced phytoplankton food quality [increased C: phosphorus (P); N:P]. At high DOC, N fertilization caused modest increases in PP and PEM, with marginal changes in PP:BP and phytoplankton food quality, which, combined, led to a slight increase in zooplankton growth and FWE. Consequently, at low DOC (<12 mg L-1), increased N availability lowers FWE due to mismatches in food quality demand and supply, whereas at high DOC this mismatch does not occur, and zooplankton production and FWE may increase. We conclude that the lake DOC level is critical for predicting the effects of enhanced inorganic N availability on pelagic productivity in boreal lakes.

Phytoplankton response to whole lake inorganic N fertilization along a gradient in dissolved organic carbon.

Global change has increased inorganic nitrogen (N) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC; i.e., "browning") inputs to northern hemisphere boreal lakes. However, we do not know how phytoplankton in nutrient poor lake ecosystems of different DOC concentration respond to increased N availability. Here, we monitored changes in phytoplankton production, biomass and community composition in response to whole lake inorganic N fertilization in six boreal unproductive Swedish lakes divided into three lake pairs (control, N enriched) at three DOC levels (low, medium, high), with one reference year (2011) and 2 impact yr (2012, 2013). We found that phytoplankton biomass and production decreased with DOC concentration before N fertilization. Further, phytoplankton community composition also differed with respect to DOC, with a dominance of non-flagellated autotrophs at low DOC towards an increasing dominance of flagellated autotrophs with increased lake DOC concentration. The N fertilization increased phytoplankton biomass and production in all lakes, but did not affect phytoplankton community composition. However, the net response in biomass and production to N fertilization declined with increasing DOC, implying that the lake DOC concentration is critical in order to infer phytoplankton responses to N fertilization, and that the system switches from being primarily nutrient limited to becoming increasingly light limited with increased DOC concentration. In conclusion, our results show that browning will reduce phytoplankton production and biomass and influence phytoplankton community composition, whereas increased inorganic N loadings from deposition, forestry or other land use will primarily enhance phytoplankton biomass and production. Together, any change in the landscape that enhances inorganic N availability will increase phytoplankton production and biomass, but the positive effects of N will be much weaker or even neutralized in browner lakes as caused by light limitation.

Dietary total antioxidant capacity in early school age and subsequent allergic disease.

BACKGROUND: Dietary antioxidant intake has been hypothesized to influence the development of allergic diseases; however, few prospective studies have investigated this association. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to study the association between total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of the diet at age 8 years and the subsequent development of asthma, rhinitis and sensitization to inhalant allergens between 8 and 16 years, and to assess potential effect modification by known risk factors. METHODS: A total of 2359 children from the Swedish birth cohort BAMSE were included. Dietary TAC at age 8 years was estimated by combining information on the child's diet the past 12 months from a food frequency questionnaire with a database of common foods analysed with the oxygen radical absorbance capacity method. Classification of asthma and rhinitis was based on questionnaires, and serum IgE antibodies were measured at 8 and 16 years. RESULTS: A statistically significant inverse association was observed between TAC of the diet and incident sensitization to inhalant allergens (adjusted odds ratio: 0.73, 95% confidence interval: 0.55-0.97 for the third compared to the first tertile, P-value for trend = 0.031). Effect modification by traffic-related air pollution exposure was observed, with a stronger association between dietary TAC and sensitization among children with low traffic-related air pollution exposure (P-value for interaction = 0.029). There was no evidence for effect modification by GSTP1 or TNF genotypes, although these results should be interpreted with caution. No clear associations were observed between TAC and development of rhinitis or asthma, although a significant inverse association was observed for allergic asthma (ORadj 0.57, 95% CI 0.34-0.94). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Higher TAC of the diet in early school age may decrease the risk of developing sensitization to inhalant allergens from childhood to adolescence. These findings indicate that implementing an antioxidant-rich diet in childhood may contribute to the prevention of allergic disease.

Age at adiposity rebound and body mass index trajectory from early childhood to adolescence; differences by breastfeeding and maternal immigration background.

OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to assess association between breastfeeding and maternal immigration background and body mass index development trajectories from age 2 to 16 years. METHODS: A cohort of children born in Stockholm during 1994 to 1996 was followed from age 2 to 16 years with repeated measurement of height and weight at eight time points (n = 2278). Children were categorized into groups by breastfeeding status during the first 6 months of life and maternal immigration background. Body mass index (BMI) trajectories and age at adiposity rebound were estimated using mixed-effects linear models. RESULTS: Body mass index trajectories were different by breastfeeding and maternal immigration status (P-value < 0.0001). Compared with exclusively breastfed counterparts, never/short breastfed children of Swedish mothers had a higher BMI trajectory, whereas never/short breastfed children of immigrant mothers followed a lower BMI trajectory. Ages at adiposity rebound were earlier for higher BMI trajectories regardless of maternal immigration background. CONCLUSION: Differences in BMI trajectories between offspring of immigrant and of Swedish mothers suggest a lack of beneficial association between breastfeeding and long-term BMI development among children of immigrant mothers. Given the relation between long-term BMI development and risk of overweight/obesity, these differences challenge the notion that exclusive breastfeeding is always beneficial for children's BMI development and subsequent risk of overweight/obesity.

Mold and dampness exposure and allergic outcomes from birth to adolescence: data from the BAMSE cohort.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to moldy or damp indoor environments is associated with allergic disease in young children, but it is unclear whether the effects persist to adolescence. Our objective was to assess whether exposure to mold or dampness during infancy increases the risk of asthma, rhinitis, or IgE sensitization in children followed from birth to 16 years of age. METHODS: We collected questionnaire derived reports of mold or dampness indicators and allergic outcomes from 3798 children in a Swedish birth cohort (BAMSE). Sensitization was assessed from blood samples in 3293 children. Longitudinal associations between prevalent asthma, rhinitis, and IgE sensitization and mold or dampness indicators were assessed using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: Exposure to any mold or dampness indicator was associated with asthma up to 16 years of age (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.08-1.59), while exposure to mold odor (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.03-1.62) and visible mold (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.04-1.58) were associated with rhinitis. Increased risks were observed for nonallergic asthma (OR 1.80; 95% CI 1.27-2.55) and rhinitis (OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.03-1.93). No association was observed between mold or dampness indicators and IgE sensitization. Exposure to any mold or dampness indicator was associated with persistent asthma (OR 1.73; 95% CI 1.20-2.50), but not with early-transient or late-onset asthma. CONCLUSION: Exposure to mold or dampness during infancy increased the risk of asthma and rhinitis up to 16 years of age, particularly for nonallergic disease. Early exposure to mold or dampness appeared particularly associated with persistent asthma through adolescence.

Anaphylaxis to foods in a population of adolescents: incidence, characteristics and associated risks.

BACKGROUND: Information about severe reactions to foods in adolescence is limited. OBJECTIVE: To describe reactions to foods, including anaphylaxis, with regard to incidence, characteristics and associated risks, among 16-year-olds (adolescents) in a large, population-based birth cohort. METHODS: Parent-reported questionnaire data from ages 2-3 months, and 1, 2 and 16 years were used (N = 3153). Anaphylaxis at age 16 years was defined per NIAID/FAAN criteria. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to 14 common food and inhalant allergens were analysed at ages 4 (n = 2283) and 16 years (n = 2510). Among adolescents with food-related symptoms (FRS) and for whom blood was available (n = 221), 25 additional food allergen extracts or allergen components were analysed. Associations between reactions to foods, and sensitization and allergic multimorbidity were investigated. RESULTS: In the 12 months prior to the 16-year assessment, 8.5% of adolescents had FRS. This included 0.8% (n = 24) adolescents who were classified as having anaphylaxis, yielding an incidence rate of 761/100 000 person-years. One-third of adolescents accessed health care during anaphylaxis. Allergic multimorbidity in infancy, as well as sensitization to foods and airborne allergens at age 4 years, was associated with an increased risk for FRS in adolescence. Peanuts and tree nuts were the most common culprit foods for anaphylaxis, and fruits and vegetables for non-anaphylactic reactions. Adolescents with anaphylaxis were significantly more likely to be sensitized to storage proteins (Ara h 2, Cor a 9, Cor a 14) and to be polysensitized to foods (P < 0.001 vs. non-anaphylactic reactions). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The incidence of food-induced anaphylaxis during adolescence in our population-based birth cohort is higher than previously reported. Adolescents with anaphylaxis differ from adolescents with non-anaphylactic FRS with regard to culprit foods and sensitization. Adolescents with previous anaphylaxis are likely to be polysensitized to foods, particularly tree nut and peanut storage proteins, and which warrants consideration at follow-up.