The association of allergen skin test reactivity and respiratory disease among whites in the US population: data from the second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1976 to 1980

Article Abstract:

Data on respiratory symptoms and allergen skin test results of 10,854 people were collected as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1976 to 1980. The participants, aged 12 to 74 years, were tested for hypersensitivity to eight allergens: house dust, cat, dog, Alternaria (a fungus), mixed giant/short ragweed, oak, perennial rye grass, and Bermuda grass. The three respiratory disorders assessed were asthma, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and chronic rhinitis. Twenty percent of the group had a positive skin test to one or more allergens. Allergic rhinitis was much more likely to occur in those who had two or more positive skin tests, regardless of age. The data on asthma were confounded by an interaction between asthma, smoking, and skin test reactivity. When the entire group was surveyed, there was an association between asthma and a positive skin test in those aged 12 to 24 years. However, when only nonsmokers were considered, there was an association between asthma and a positive skin test among all age groups. There was no association between chronic rhinitis and a positive skin test. In those who reacted only to indoor allergens (house dust, cat, dog), there was no association between allergic rhinitis and a positive skin test, but there was such an association in those who reacted to outdoor allergens, confirming the link between pollen allergens and hay fever. The study population was then divided into three groups: those with allergic rhinitis only, those with asthma only, and those with both. There was a positive association between the respiratory disorder and a positive skin test in the allergic rhinitis only group and the asthma and allergic rhinitis group. In those with asthma only, the association between asthma and a positive skin test occurred only in 12- to 24-year-olds who had a reaction to two or more test allergens. The association between a positive skin test to allergens and asthma, especially in the 12 to 24 age group, confirms the allergic component of the disease, which should to be taken into account when treating asthma. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Usage, Testing, Asthma, Allergy, Smoking, Rhinitis, Respiratory tract diseases, Skin tests, Allergy tests, Respiratory allergy, Respiratory hypersensitivity

---

The respiratory effects of cobalt

Article Abstract:

The manufacture of hard metals requires a mixture of tungsten carbide and cobalt particles. People who work in the manufacture of hard metals may be exposed to a fog or mist that contains cobalt particle dust, which can be inhaled into the lungs. Once in the body, cobalt particles combine with proteins. The effects of these particles on the lungs of metal workers include obstruction of breathing airways, swelling caused by a hypersensitive reaction in the lung tissue and pulmonary fibrosis (replacement of normal tissue with fiber-like tissue). Some people develop unusual giant cells lining the alveolar structures. The effects of cobalt dust on the health of five metal workers are reported. All had a cough and difficulty breathing. The chest X-rays were unrevealing in two patients, while those for the other three had varying manifestations. In some patients removal of the irritant reversed symptoms. One worker had original symptoms return when re-exposed. The disease manifestations varied from acute pneumonitis (lung swelling) to progressing severe lung fibrosis. In biopsies of lung fluid from six out of seven patients, abnormal giant cells were revealed. Most cobalt-induced diseases occur when workers are exposed to levels of cobalt that exceed the threshold limit value of 0.05 mg per cubic meter. Although a biopsy can be revealing, it may not be conclusive; there is no definitive way to diagnose cobalt-induced diseases. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of, Development and progression, Occupational diseases, Cobalt, Metalworkers, Pneumoconiosis, Pulmonary fibrosis, Black lung disease, Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, Extrinsic allergic alveolitis

---

Respiratory muscle weakness in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: a field study

Article Abstract:

Two hundred patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (a progressive atrophy of muscles associated with abnormal functioning of nerves) were evaluated for how their lungs and the muscles that enable them to breathe were functioning. Forty patients had difficulty breathing; 15 had a significant decrease in the ability of their respiratory muscles to function, while the other 25 had normal respiratory muscle function. It was concluded that in Charcot-Marie-Tooth-diseased patients, those with atrophy of the upper arm muscles are more likely to have diminished function in the respiratory muscles.

Complications and side effects, Respiratory muscles, Atrophy, Muscular, Muscular atrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Impact of multiple births and elective deliveries on the trends in low birth weight in Norway, 1967-1995. Influence of consanguinity and maternal education on risk of stillbirth and infant death in Norway, 1967-1993
• Abstracts: Impact of multiple births and elective deliveries on the trends in low birth weight in Norway, 1967-1995. part 2
• Abstracts: An 81-year-old man with pain and crepitus in the shoulder. Understanding the Timing of HIV Transmission From Mother to Infant
• Abstracts: Outcome of treatment for childhood cancer in black as compared with white children: the St Jude Children's Research Hospital experience, 1962 through 1992
• Abstracts: Expression of Her-2/neu oncogene protein product and epidermal growth factor receptors in surgical specimens of human breast cancers

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.