Medical Hypotheses
Volume 51, Issue 4, 1998, Pages 281-284

High rate of asthma among immigrants (Article)

Ballin A.* , Somekh E. , Geva D. , Meytes D.
  • a Pediatric Hematology Unit, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel, Pediatric Hematology Unit, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon 58100, Israel
  • b Pediatric Immunology Unit, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
  • c Statistical Unit, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
  • d Department of Hematology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel

Abstract

Articles dealing with the epidemiological aspects of asthma were carefully reviewed in order to support or reject our clinical impression of increased rate of asthma among immigrants. Particular emphasis was put on data on very high or very low rates of asthma. The proposed theories to explain these differences were critically examined. The prevalence of asthma in China and in Africa is 1-2% and 0.5-5%, respectively. The prevalence of the disease in other indigenous populations ranges between 0.5% and 12%. On the other hand, asthma is much more frequently seen in Australia and in New Zealand (approximately 20-25%), where peoples' ancestors immigrated from distant areas. Statistical meta-analysis found a significant difference between the rates of asthma in the two groups of populations (P< 0.001). Immunoglobulin E levels of immigrants in Sweden are higher than those of native Swedes. Similarly, cord blood immunoglobulin E concentrations are more elevated in neonates whose mothers emigrated to Germany from Eastern countries than in those of native German mothers. There is an increased rate of IgE-mediated asthma among immigrant populations.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

New Zealand asthma China human Germany immigrant immunoglobulin E priority journal environmental factor Africa Australia prevalence Article meta analysis Sweden
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0031757864&doi=10.1016%2fS0306-9877%2898%2990047-0&partnerID=40&md5=5cd4ecd8f5366696d9dbc5b25eb82a08
DOI: 10.1016/S0306-9877(98)90047-0
ISSN: 03069877
Cited by: 14
Original Language: English