Asthma With And Without Rhinitis And Eczema In Adults: Prevalence, Sensitization Profile, And Risk Factors

Background: The coexistence of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema has been studied in children, but data are lacking in adults. As new treatments emerge, epidemiological data on the coexistence of these conditions are needed. Aim: In a general adult population, we described the prevalence of concomitant asthma, rhinitis and eczema; compared prevalence between individuals sensitized and not sensitized to aeroallergens; and studied the risk factors for coexistence of the diseases. Methods: In the West Sweden Asthma Study, sensitization profile of 1103 randomly selected adults (16-75 years) was assessed with Phadiatop test. Participants answered clinical interviews on the presence of asthma, rhinitis and eczema. Results: In all study participants and in those with positive Phadiatop, 8% and 19% had concomitant asthma and rhinitis, but not eczema, respectively. Coexistence of the three conditions was 2% in all participants, but 6% in those with positive Phadiatop. Coexistence of the diseases did not differ by age or gender. Those with coexistence of asthma, rhinitis and eczema were most sensitized (78%), followed by those with asthma and rhinitis but not eczema (65%) and those with asthma and eczema but not rhinitis (40%), while those with asthma only had the least sensitization to aeroallergens (5%). Body mass index, exposure to gas, dust and fumes at work, and family history of asthma or allergy were associated with increased risk of coexistence of the three conditions. Conclusions: About 2% of adults have concomitant asthma, rhinitis, and eczema, and the proportion of allergic sensitization is high among them. Of sensitized adults, about 6% has coexistence of the three conditions.