Allergic diseases are recognized as a burden on the public health. They stand as one of the most common chronic diseases, especially in developed countries. Therefore, the objective of this study is ...to evaluate the association between the development of atopic allergy and the presence of food allergy in children, and food consumption.
This multidisciplinary cross-observational epidemiological study was conducted among 1199 schoolchildren who were recruited in 4th grade and 5th grade (9–11 years old from Marseille). Data were collected by means of a standardized epidemiological questionnaire with a medical assessment focusing on allergic diseases, and questions on lifestyle and child nutrition (FFQ).
During the last 12 months, prevalence of allergic diseases were shown as follows: 41% of children presented allergic rhinitis symptoms, 24% reported having asthma related symptoms, while 28% suffered of eczema and 7% complained of food allergy. There was a significant association between food allergy and asthma symptoms (P-value<0.001, IC=2.29–7.69), eczema (P-value<0.001, IC=2.37–8.32) and allergic rhinitis (P-value<0.001, IC=2.32–8.17). Regarding dietary habits, the multivariate analysis shows that the consumption of vegetables (ORa=0.72 0.64–0.74) and fish (ORa=0.74 0.50–1.09, ORa=0.66 0.47–0.94 respectively) are associated decreased risk of developing asthma and allergic rhinitis symptoms, while fruit consumption (ORa=0.68 0.45–1.03) is associated with a decrease in eczema symptoms.
This study shows that the presence of a food allergy is strongly associated with allergic diseases. Indeed, the consumption of vegetables, fruits and fish seems to have a protective effect on the occurrence of these diseases.
The French-language Respiratory Medicine Society (SPLF) proposes a guide for the follow-up of patients who have presented with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. The proposals are based on known data from ...previous epidemics, on acute lesions observed in SARS-CoV-2 patients and on expert opinion. This guide proposes a follow-up based on three categories of patients: (1) patients managed outside hospital for possible or proven SARS-CoV-2 infection, referred by their physician for persistent dyspnoea; (2) patients hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in a medical unit; (3) patients hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in an intensive care unit. The subsequent follow-up will have to be adapted to the initial assessment. This guide emphasises the possibility of others causes of dyspnoea (cardiac, thromboembolic, hyperventilation syndrome…). These proposals may evolve over time as more knowledge becomes available.
The French-speaking Respiratory Medicine Society (SPLF) proposes a guide for the management of possible respiratory sequelae in patients who have presented with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia (COVID-19). The ...proposals are based on known data from previous epidemics, preliminary published data on post COVID-19 follow-up and on expert opinion. The proposals were developed by a group of experts and then submitted, using the Delphi method, to a panel of 22 pulmonologists. Seventeen proposals were validated ranging from additional examinations after the minimum assessment proposed in the SPLF monitoring guide, to inhaled or systemic corticosteroid therapy and antifibrotic agents. These proposals may evolve over time as knowledge accumulates. This guide emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary discussion.
Background: Food allergy (FA) is an important health problem. However, epidemiological studies at the population level are scarce. We assessed the prevalence of FA and its associations with ...respiratory manifestations among schoolchildren.
Methods: A total of 6672 schoolchildren aged 9–11 years recruited from 108 randomly chosen schools in six French cities underwent a clinical examination including skin prick test (SPT) to common food and aeroallergens and the standardized protocol of the run test to assess exercise‐induced bronchial hyper‐responsiveness (EIB). Asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR) and clinical symptoms of FA were determined using a standardized questionnaire completed by parents.
Results: About 2.1% of the children reported symptoms of FA, 1.9% were sensitized to food allergens, and 0.1% had SP‐tested FA. The AR was more prevalent than asthma (20.0% lifetime, 11.9% past year vs 9.8%, 8.7% respectively). Reported FA, food sensitization and SP‐tested FA were all positively associated with asthma and AR (P < 0.001). These associations persisted also for FA not manifesting as respiratory symptoms (P < 0.001). Asthma and AR remained significantly associated with reported symptoms of FA and allergic sensitization to food allergens after adjustment for confounders as well as for sensitization to aeroallergens. No relationship existed between EIB (9.0%) and FA.
Conclusion: The relationships between FA and asthma and AR could be totally explained neither by the existence of respiratory manifestations of FA nor by sensitization to aeroallergens. The FA might intervene differently in asthma and AR.
Pesticides are used worldwide, mainly in agriculture as a means of controlling pests and protecting crops. That said, the entire world population is ultimately subject to pesticide exposure ...(consumption of fruits and vegetables, living near treated fields…), with varying degrees of toxicity involved.
In recent decades, epidemiological studies have contributed to the identification of chemical pesticide families with detrimental effects on human health: cognitive disorders, Parkinson's disease, prostate cancer… and impairment in respiratory functioning. Current scientific evidence points to the implication of the active substances in insecticides, herbicides and fungicides in chronic respiratory diseases, two examples being chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in exposed workers, and asthmatic wheezing in children during prenatal or postnatal exposure.
The safety of individuals exposed to pesticides is of key importance in public health. Further epidemiological investigations are needed to identify the chemical families affecting certain populations.
The scientific literature suggests strong links between pesticide exposure and respiratory health. Whether it be environmental or occupational, pesticide exposure can lead to respiratory disorders and symptoms of varying severity.
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