Association between latitude and allergic diseases: A longitudinal study from childhood to middle-age

V Oktaria; SC Dharmage; JA Burgess; JA Simpson; S Morrison; GG Giles; MJ Abramson; EH Walters; MC Matheson

Journal article

Association between latitude and allergic diseases: A longitudinal study from childhood to middle-age

V Oktaria, SC Dharmage, JA Burgess, JA Simpson, S Morrison, GG Giles, MJ Abramson, EH Walters, MC Matheson

Annals of Allergy Asthma and Immunology | ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC | Published : 2013

DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2012.11.005

Abstract

Background: Worldwide variations in allergy prevalence suggest that geographic factors may contribute to asthma. Ecologic studies have suggested that latitude, a marker of UV-B exposure and allergen exposures, may be related to clinical allergies. Objective: To examine the relationship between latitude or UV-B based on self-reported geolocation and allergic sensitization and disease prevalence in Australia. Methods: The Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study is a population-based study of respiratory disease spanning childhood to adulthood. The most recent follow-up included a postal survey of 5,729 participants and a clinical substudy of 1,396 participants. Participants' residential addresses ..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Shyamali Dharmage Author

Julie Simpson Author

Haydn Walters Author

Grants

Funding Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, LEW Carty Charitable Fund, Clifford Craig Medical Research Trust of Tasmania, The Asthma Foundation of Victorian, and Asthma Foundation of Tasmania. Drs Matheson, Dharmage, and Walters are supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council.