Atopie bei mensch und haustier

Background: The investigation of the association of atopic diseases in humans and pets was part of this epidemiological study. Methods: We report on a representative population-based cross-sectional study in adults aged 25 to 75 years, in the region of Augsburg, Germany (KORA Survey 2000). 4,236 subjects (response 67%) participated in the study between September 1999 and April 2001 where standardized computer-assisted interviews were performed. Results: A history of doctors diagnosed atopic diseases was given by 21.8% (hay fever 14.6%, asthma 6.2%, atopic eczema 5.2%). A pet was present in every second (49.1%) household. No difference in the frequency of atopic diseases was found whether pets (dogs, cats, rodents) were present (22.0%) or not (20.6%) (OR 1.02, 0.88-1.19). In 82 animals (4.4%) a veterinary doctor had diagnosed an allergy. Subjects, who lived together with allergic pets, had a significantly higher prevalence of atopic diseases (35.9%) than those whose pets exhibited no allergic symptoms (21.3%)(OR 2.02, 1.20-3.42, adjusted for age, sex, school education, parental atopy). This association was most pronounced when dogs were affected (adj. OR 2.66, 1.29-5.48). Conclusion: Although joint environmental influences may explain the parallel manifestation of atopic diseases in human and animal members of a family, the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated.