Eva Weeke

Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis in the Same Patients

This study from Danish general practice gives Figures about the simultaneous prevalence of asthma and allergic rhinitis and the order of onset among 7662 patients, who during 1 year consulted for one or both of these diseases. Twenty‐eight percent of patients with asthma consulted because they also had allergic rhinitis, and 17% of patients with allergic rhinitis consulted because they also had asthma. Age‐ and sex‐distributions are presented. In 25% of patients with both diseases the onset of both diseases occurred within the same year, while in 35% the onset of asthma occurred first and in 40% allergic rhinitis.

Allergic Rhinitis in Danish General Practice.: Prevalence and Consultation Rates

The prevalence rate of allergic rhinitis and the consultation rate caused by this disease were studied in 131 general practices covering a population of 450,000 persons in Denmark. During a 1‐year period starting June 1977 all consultations with or without symptoms were recorded.

Month of Birth in Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis

The distribution by month of birth among 7796 patients, who consulted Danish general practitioners during a one year period 1977-78 because of asthma and/or allergic rhinitis is presented. Among allergic rhinitis patients births in March and April were significantly overrepresented, and July underrepresented. As a whole February-May were overrepresented and July-January underrepresented. The distribution of month of birth of asthma patients did not differ from the distribution of the total Danish population. Patients suffering from both asthma and allergic rhinitis presented a pattern similar to that of allergic rhinitis patients. Families with a high prevalence of allergy may take advantage of this knowledge when planning child births, as the findings may be explained partly by exposure to pollen during infancy.

Seasonal Variation of Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis

The seasonal variation of consultations on account of asthma and allergic rhinitis, and the relationship with air concentrations of pollen, spores, and lead, cadmium, dust, soot and sulfur dioxide was investigated in Danish general practice during a 1‐year period 1977–78. A population of about 500,000 was studied. Among about 3000. asthmatics there were less consultations during spring than die rest of the year, but the seasonal variation of consultations with symptoms was rather small. The highest rate of consultations was in week 24, which is close to the peak of the grass pollen period. No relationship was found between asthma symptoms and concentrations of pollution indicators. Among about 5000 patients with allergic rhinitis the rate of consultations with symptoms increased at the start of the tree pollen season, still more at the start of the birch pollen season, and was very high during weeks 21–26 in the grass pollen season. Two thirds of all consultations for symptomatic allergic rhinitis took plate within 10 weeks (Nos. 18–27). During the grass pollen season there was a relative preponderance of young patients, while during the birch pollen season older patients dominated. No connection was seen between rhinitis symptoms and pollution indicators. The different seasonal variation of asthma and allergic rhinitis indicates that the two patient categories differ as regards symptom‐provoking factors. Allergic rhinitis is mainly precipitated by grass and birch pollen. The precipitating‐ factors of asthma were not disclosed in this study, with the exception perhaps of some influence from pollen, and ‐ among 0–4‐year‐old children ‐ respiratory infections.

Asthma in Danish General Practice.: Prevalence and Consultation Rates

This study from Danish general practice with the participation of 131 practices covering a population of 450, 000 persons assesses all consultations concerning asthma during a 1‐year period from June 1977.

The Adsorption of Serum Proteins to Aluminium Hydroxide Gel Examined by Means of Quantitative Immunoelectrophoresis

By means of crossed immunoelectrophoresis with intermediate gel containing a known amount of aluminium hydroxide the adsorption of the individual human serum proteins to the aluminium hydroxide was determined. The extent of adsorption varies considerably with the particular protein and is independent of the net charge, the molecular weight and the carbohydrate content of the proteins. The possible use of the method in connection with diagnosis and immunotherapy in human allergology is outlined.

Characterization of Bovine Whey Proteins by Crossed Immunoelectrophoresis

A reference pattern obtained by crossed immunoelectrophoresis of bovine whey proteins from mature milk, using rabbit antibovine whey antibodies, has been worked out. Out of the total of 29 easily recognizable precipitates, 5 milk‐specific proteins and 21 serum proteins were identified. Furthermore, whey proteins which also occur in bovine milk fat globule membrane preparations and in extracts of bovine hair and dandruff were identified. The use of the obtained reference pattern for the identification of milk allergens and the determination of the specificity of human milk precipitins against bovine whey proteins is outlined.