Abstract
BACKGROUND: Variation in the prevalence of allergic disorders among socioeconomic groups could be due either to differences in the type of allergens encountered or to actual differences in susceptibility to sensitization to any particular antigen.OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship of skin test positivity to inhaled aeroallergens and socioeconomic status (SES).METHODS: A total of 989 Montreal elementary school children were studied. A short questionnaire was completed by parents, and the children performed spirometry before and after a free-running exercise challenge. A subsample of 309 children underwent allergy skin prick tests to common inhaled aeroallergens. SES was established using parental occupation.RESULTS: Higher social class was associated with an increased likelihood of having positive skin tests to cat and trees, while there was a trend towards an inverse relationship between SES and skin test sensitivity to cockroach and moulds. Reported history of asthma, hay fever or eczema were unrelated to SES.CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest differences in levels of exposure to different allergens by social class. From the public health point of view, community-based allergen avoidance measures need to be adapted to social class.