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Pet ownership and risk of asthma: a case-controlled study
L Sharifi, Z Pourpak, S Bokaie, A Karimi, M Gharegozloo, M Movahhedi, M Moin,
Volume 66, Issue 5 (8-2008)
Abstract

Background: In the treatment of bronchial asthma, the identification, isolation, and elimination of causative allergens is the most effective part of treatment. With the recent diversification within the pet industry, pet owner exposure to many unknown antigens is on the rise. The results of population studies have been contradictory and some epidemiological studies have failed to confirm this, some indicating that keeping pets might actually reduce the risk of sensitization and asthma. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between pet ownership and asthma.

Methods: This case-control study included 300 asthmatic participants referred to the Children's Medical Center over a two-year period. Participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire regarding pet ownership, pet gender and puberty, the place it was kept, how long the pet was kept and the reason for keeping the pet. The same questions were asked from 300 age- and gender-matched nonasthmatic individuals as the control group. Statistical analysis was performed to calculate odds ratios (OR) of asthma morbidity in individuals who kept pets.

Results: The OR for asthma morbidity in patients who kept pets was 2.59 (CI=1.60-4.21 and p>0.001). Financial aim was the most common reason for keeping a pet and most pets were mature and kept outdoors. No significant correlations for pet genders were observed.

Conclusion: This survey provides evidence that pet ownership is an important risk factor for asthma, therefore we suggest that individuals at risk for asthma (atopic individuals) must avoid contact with pets. However, more research in this field in Iran is necessary.


The prevalence of respiratory allergens in patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis in Ardabil province
Rasool Molatefi, Adel Ahadi, Hossein Salehzadeh, Elham Safarzadeh, Hadi Abbasi,
Volume 78, Issue 8 (11-2020)
Abstract
Background: Because of geographic variation and regional types of allergens, it is recommended that allergists identify common allergens in their area of activity. In the present study, the prevalence of respiratory allergens in patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis was investigated.
Methods: This study is descriptive and retrospective. The required data of this study were extracted from the records of 661 patients who were referred to the Asthma and Allergy Clinic of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences (Ardabil province, Northwest of Iran) from April 2016 to March 2017. After confirmation of allergic asthma or rhinitis by the asthma and allergy specialist, these patients were subjected to a prick test with allergen extracts. In the group of grasses the extract of nine grasses, in trees the extract of 11 Tree mix, in weeds the extract of Common weed mix, in animal allergens the three extracts of Standard cat, Dog epithelia, Cockroach mix, in weeds the Mite mix and in fungi, three extracts of Mold mix1, Alternaria and Aspergillus mix were used. All the data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 25.
Results: According to results, of the 661 patients who were studied, 462 ones had positive and 273 had significant prick test results. The grasses group with 293 positive (44.3%) and weeds group with 259 positive results (39.2%) were more common than the other categories. Among the significant positive tests, these two categories with 161 and 142 significant positive tests were indicated as the most common allergens. Respiratory allergens were also more common in patients with a family history of allergies in weeds and trees categories, but there was no significant difference in sensitization pattern according to the history of tonsillectomy.
Conclusion: Patients in Ardabil with allergic rhinitis and asthma were more sensitized to weeds and grass mixtures. It is recommended to provide preventive recommendations to allergic patients and the development of localized skin testing packages and additional studies should be conducted focusing on these two categories of allergens.

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