Asthma-allergy. Altitude: a study model
Vervloet, D.; Charpin, D.; Magnan, A.; Birnbaum, J.
Presse Medicale 23(37): 1684-1686
1994
ISSN/ISBN: 0755-4982 PMID: 7831249 Document Number: 423598
Several epidemiological studies have now established the relationship between atopy and bronchial asthma. The study of the role of altitude in sensitization, bronchial reactivity, clinical symptoms and allergen exposure in asthma is a good model for understanding the disease. It is now demonstrated that in altitude there is a major decrease in the number of mites (one of the major aeroallergens) and a low mite antigenic load (measured with monoclonal antibodies). In altitude, the climatic factor which has by far the greatest effect on the development of mites is indoor relative humidity which is much lower that at sea level. These findings explain the clinical improvement of some asthmatic patients and help understand the association between the presence of indoor allergens and asthma.