Exposure to 'farming' and objective markers of atopy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

There is growing interest in the 'farm effect' on the spectrum of allergy. Evidence concerning the farm effect on asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis has been systematically synthesized, but without a specific focus on objective markers of sensitization. This focus is important, as farm exposures may be related to allergy but not to non-allergic phenotypes of disease. We aimed to systematically review and meta-analyse literature that has investigated associations between farm exposure at any age and objective measures of atopy, that is serum IgE or skin prick tests results. Using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, we identified 29 articles for review. IgE levels were measured in ..