M. Akashi

Exercise-Induced Asthma is Associated with Impaired Quality of Life Among Children with Asthma in Japan

BACKGROUND Asthma is the most common chronic diseases in school-aged children in Japan. It is important to consider health-related quality of life (QoL) among children with chronic diseases when treatment decisions are made. METHODS A school-based survey was conducted in randomly selected public schools in Tokyo by using a KINDL questionnaire for evaluating QoL and the international study of asthma and allergy on childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire, which is designed for comparing the asthma prevalence in various countries, from May to June in 2005. We recruited approximately 10% of the total children 6-7-years-old and 13-14-years-old living in Tokyo for sampling. RESULTS Response rate of this questionnaire was 86% (22,645 children) in the 6-7-year-old group and 64% (12,879 children) in the 13-14-year-old group. Comparing asthmatics with non-asthmatics in the same age, QoL of children with asthma was significantly impaired. The severity of QoL of children with asthma was significantly impaired. QoL of children with exercise-induced asthma (EIA) were more significantly impaired than ones without EIA and showed lower scores in the categories of physical functioning, emotional and school activities than those without EIA. Of note, QoL was more impaired in the EIA-positive group among severe asthmatics, suggesting that QoL of children with even severe asthma could be improved when EIA is appropriately controlled. CONCLUSIONS Existence of EIA among asthmatic children most strongly impairs their QoL. We should be more cautious about the management of EIA.

Age-related Prevalence of Allergic Diseases in Tokyo Schoolchildren

BACKGROUND The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) has reported the prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases in many countries. METHODS We used the ISAAC core written questionnaire to examine the prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases in 6- to 14-year old schoolchildren in Tokyo. In 2005, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of all schoolchildren in all public schools located in the Setagaya area of Tokyo. RESULTS Data were collected from 27,196 children in 95 schools. Prevalence ranged from 10.5% to 18.2% for asthma symptoms and from 10.9% to 19.6% for atopic dermatitis, with both conditions tending to decrease with age. As has been previously reported for all age groups, significantly higher rates of current asthma are observed in boys than in girls. The prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis exhibited a different pattern from that of asthma and atopic dermatitis, peaking at the age of 10 (34.8%). Prevalence of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis was 1.5 to 2-fold higher than the previous ISAAC studies that were performed in Tochigi and Fukuoka. In all age groups, symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis were more frequent from February to May, which coincides with the Japanese cedar pollen season, and were less frequent between June to September. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of asthma and atopic dermatitis was higher in younger schoolchildren. Tokyo schoolchildren appear to have extremely high prevalence rates of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

Randomized controlled trial of oral immunotherapy for egg allergy in Japanese patients

Egg allergy is one of the most common food allergies in young children. While oral immunotherapy (OIT) is not routinely recommended in current guidelines, it has been considered as a potential alternative treatment strategy. Studies on OIT for food allergy have been explored, but no controlled trials have been reported in Japan.

Ultraviolet index is associated with childhood eczema prevalence: Sex and age differences

Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition whose development is related to environmental and genetic factors. The report of a positive association of latitude with the prevalence of childhood eczema suggests an important role for climate in the pathogenesis of eczema (1). The effect of ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure is one of the candidate explanations for this observation, and is corroborated by a study in the United States reporting an inverse relationship between UV index and the prevalence of childhood eczema (2). We aimed to verify this association by further evaluating sex and age differences. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Prevalence of latex-specific IgE antibody among the children with/without allergic disease in Japan

Abstract Rationale Latex allergy is frequently seen in high risk group: patients with spina bifida, medical and co-medical workers in surgical department and industry workers. Latex is also used in many things for the children, i.e., tennis ball, basket ball, cloths and some toys. But prevalence of latex-specific IgE antibody in children with or without allergy has not been well defined in Japan. Aim To know prevalence of Latex-specific IgE antibody among children with or without allergic diseases. Methods 768 children, 1 to 20 years old, the average age 5.7 years old; 291 subjects with the allergic disease (257 subjects with bronchial asthma, 184 subjects with atopic dermatitis, 92 subjects with food allergies, 184 subjects with allergic rhinitis and 56 subjects with allergic conjunctivitis) and 477 subjects without allergic diseases were examined. Latex-specific IgE antibody and other food-specific IgE antibodies were evaluated by using Parmacia CAP system. Results Latex-specific IgE antibody was positive in 16.1% patients with allergic diseases, only 4.8% were positive in non-allergic patients (p Conclusions High prevalence of Latex-specific IgE antibody among children with allergic diseases was observed. One has to recognize Latex as a potent allergen for the allergic children, especially who are needed operative therapy and the children with cause-unknown wheezing.