A prevalence study was conducted among office workers in Malaysia (N= 695). The aim of this study was to examine associations between
asthma, airway symptoms,
rhinitis and house dust mites (HDM) and cat
allergy and HDM levels in office dust. Medical data was collected by a questionnaire. Skin prick tests were performed for HDM
allergens (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae) and cat
allergen Felis domesticus. Indoor temperature and relative air humidity (RH) were measured in the offices and vacuumed dust samples were analyzed for HDM
allergens. The prevalence of D. pteronyssinus, D. farinae and cat
allergy were 50.3%, 49.0% and 25.5% respectively. Totally 9.6% had doctor-diagnosed
asthma, 15.5% had current wheeze and 53.0% had current
rhinitis. The
Der p 1 (from D. pteronyssinus) and
Der f 1 (from D. farinae)
allergens levels in dust were 556 ng/g and 658 ng/g respectively. Statistical analysis was conducted by multilevel logistic regression, adjusting for age, gender, current smoking, HDM or cat
allergy, home dampness and recent indoor painting at home. Office workers with HDM
allergy had more wheeze (p= 0.035), any airway symptoms (p= 0.032), doctor-diagnosed
asthma (p= 0.005), current
asthma (p= 0.007), current
rhinitis (p= 0.021) and rhinoconjuctivitis (p< 0.001). Cat
allergy was associated with wheeze (p= 0.021), wheeze when not having a cold (p= 0.033), any airway symptoms (p= 0.034), doctor-diagnosed
asthma (p= 0.010), current
asthma (p= 0.020) and nasal
allergy medication (p= 0.042).
Der f 1 level in dust was associated with daytime
breathlessness (p= 0.033) especially among those with HDM
allergy.
Der f 1 levels were correlated with indoor temperature (p< 0.001) and inversely correlated with RH (p< 0.001). In conclusion, HDM and cat
allergies were common and independently associated with
asthma, airway symptoms and
rhinitis.
Der f 1 allergen can be a risk factor for daytime
breathlessness.