Supplementary Material for: Patterns of Sensitization to Inhalant Allergens in Japanese Lower-Grade Schoolchildren and Related Factors

Objective: This study clarified sensitization patterns to house dust mite (HDM) and Japanese cedar pollen (JCP) in Japanese lower-grade schoolchildren. We also explored factors associated with allergic sensitization. Methods: This cross-sectional study used a database from the Study on Respiratory Disease and Automobile Exhaust (SORA), a Japanese health study project. The subjects comprised 8,815 pupils aged 6-9 years. We obtained the distribution of HDM- and JCP-specific IgE, respectively, as a marker of sensitization. To determine factors associated with sensitization, we used logistic regression and calculated adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for the relative prevalence of sensitization. The cut-off point for specific IgE levels was 0.35 kU/l. Results: Sensitization to HDM and JCP was detected in 51 and 39% of subjects, respectively, occurring more often in boys and at older ages. In addition, AORs of sensitization to HDM/JCP were higher in subjects with a history of bronchitis, parental asthma, parental atopic eczema and parental pollinosis. In contrast, AORs for sensitization were lower in those subjected to maternal passive smoking as well as among boys with pets. AORs of sensitization to JCP alone were lower in those with a history of otitis media, those who had been bottle milk fed, and those who were not the firstborn and who lived near a busy road. Conclusion: Sensitization to HDM and JCP was detected in 51 and 39% of lower-grade schoolchildren, respectively.

本研究旨在阐明日本低年级小学生对家庭尘螨（HDM）和日本扁柏花粉（JCP）的致敏模式。同时，本研究亦探讨了与过敏性致敏相关的因素。研究方法：本研究为一项横断面研究，使用了日本呼吸疾病与汽车尾气研究（SORA）的健康研究项目数据库。研究对象包括8,815名6至9岁的学生。我们分别获得了HDM和JCP特异性IgE的分布情况，将其作为致敏的标志物。为了确定与致敏相关的因素，我们采用了逻辑回归方法，并计算了调整后的优势比（AORs）以反映致敏的相对发病率。特异性IgE水平的截止值为0.35 kU/l。研究结果：51%和39%的受试者分别检测出对HDM和JCP的致敏，这一现象在男性学生和年龄较大的学生中更为常见。此外，具有支气管炎病史、父母患有哮喘、父母患有特应性皮炎和父母患有花粉症的受试者中，对HDM/JCP的致敏优势比（AORs）较高。相反，被动吸烟母亲以及养有宠物的男性学生的致敏优势比（AORs）较低。对于单独对JCP的致敏，有中耳炎病史、曾接受奶瓶喂养以及非首胎且居住在繁忙道路附近的受试者的致敏优势比（AORs）较低。结论：在低年级小学生中，分别有51%和39%的受试者检测出对HDM和JCP的致敏。