Atopie bei Mensch und Haustier

Abstract

Background

The investigation of the association of atopic diseases in humans and pets was part of this epidemiological study.

Methods

We report on a representative population-based cross-sectional study in adults aged 25 to 75 years, in the region of Augsburg, Germany (KORA Survey 2000). 4,236 subjects (response 67%) participated in the study between September 1999 and April 2001 where standardized computer-assisted interviews were performed.

Results

A history of doctors diagnosed atopic diseases was given by 21.8% (hay fever 14.6%, asthma 6.2%, atopic eczema 5.2%). A pet was present in every second (49.1%) household. No difference in the frequency of atopic diseases was found whether pets (dogs, cats, rodents) were present (22.0%) or not (20.6%) (OR 1.02, 0.88–1.19). In 82 animals (4.4%) a veterinary doctor had diagnosed an allergy. Subjects, who lived together with allergic pets, had a significantly higher prevalence of atopic diseases (35.9%) than those whose pets exhibited no allergic symptoms (21.3%)(OR 2.02, 1.20–3.42, adjusted for age, sex, school education, parental atopy). This association was most pronounced when dogs were affected (adj. OR 2.66, 1.29–5.48).

Conclusion

Although joint environmental influences may explain the parallel manifestation of atopic diseases in human and animal members of a family, the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated.