The triad of current asthma, rhinitis and eczema is uncommon among adults: Prevalence, sensitization profiles, and risk factors.
BACKGROUND
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 are needed.


AIMS
To study the prevalence of concomitant asthma, rhinitis and eczema in the general adult population and among those sensitized to aeroallergens, and to study associations between background characteristics and risks of phenotypes of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema.


METHODS
In the West Sweden Asthma Study, phenotypes and sensitization profiles of 1103 randomly selected adults (16-75 years) were assessed. The methods included measures of serum-IgE and structured interviews on asthma, rhinitis, eczema, their associated symptoms, and relevant risk factors.


RESULTS
Among all participants and in those sensitized, 2% and 6% had concomitant asthma, rhinitis, and eczema, respectively, and the condition did not differ by age or sex. Corresponding figures for asthma and rhinitis, but not eczema, was 8% and 19%, respectively. Determinants of coexistence of the three conditions were family history of asthma/allergy, body mass index, and occupational exposure to gas, dust and fumes. Allergic sensitization in those with asthma, rhinitis and eczema was found in 78%, in those with asthma and rhinitis but not eczema in 65%, in those with asthma and eczema but not rhinitis in 40%, while only 5% were sensitized among those having asthma only.


CONCLUSIONS
In the general adult population about 2% have concomitant asthma, rhinitis, and eczema. Of sensitized adults, about 6% has coexistence of the three conditions.
['Pullerits|Teet|T|', 'Rönmark|Erik P|EP|', 'Ekerljung|Linda|L|', 'Palmqvist|Mona Andersson|MA|', 'Arvidsson|Monica|M|', 'Mincheva|Roxana|R|', 'Backman|Helena|H|', 'Kankaanranta|Hannu|H|', 'Ilmarinen|Pinja|P|', 'Rådinger|Madeleine|M|', 'Lundbäck|Bo|B|', 'Nwaru|Bright I|BI|']
D000328:Adult D000367:Age Factors D000368:Aged D000485:Allergens D001249:Asthma D015415:Biomarkers D015992:Body Mass Index D015897:Comorbidity D004485:Eczema D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007114:Immunization D007073:Immunoglobulin E D008297:Male D008487:Medical History Taking D008875:Middle Aged D016273:Occupational Exposure D015995:Prevalence D012220:Rhinitis D012307:Risk Factors D055815:Young Adult
Prevalence Risk factors Allergic sensitization Combined asthma-rhinitis-eczema Population study