Impact of Meteorological Factors on the Allergic Profile of Tunisian Asthmatic Children

Abstract

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Asthma, a chronic inflammatory airway disease, is influenced by environmental factors that can exacerbate symptoms. Skin prick tests (SPT) are used to identify sensitization patterns. This study aimed to assess the influence of environmental factors on the allergenic profile of asthmatic children. <bold>Methods:</bold> We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of children aged ≤15 years diagnosed with allergic asthma and evaluated at the allergology unit over a 30-year period (1992–2022). Meteorological data were obtained from an online database. A logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the effects of average temperature, season, and year of testing on SPT positivity for various aeroallergens. <bold>Results:</bold> A total of 1,620 patients were included, with a mean age of 7.82 ± 3.42 years and a sex ratio of 1.46. A family history of atopy was identified in 65.4% of cases, with first-degree relatives affected in 44.6%. Clinically, the most frequent association was asthma and rhinitis (48.5%), followed by asthma, rhinitis, and conjunctivitis (28%). Dust mites were the predominant allergen (68.9%), followed by animal dander (45,8%) and pollens (35.4%). The average temperature at the time of testing was not significantly associated with pollen positivity (p=0.164), nor was the testing season (p=0.362). However, the year of testing was a significant factor (p=0.006), with a significant increase in the positivity rate over the years (OR=1.036,95%CI[1.02;1.05]). No significant effect was found for other aeroallergens <bold>Conclusion:</bold> The increasing positivity rate of pollen sensitization in asthmatic children over the years does not appear to be directly driven by rising temperatures.