Epidemiologic study of the factors affecting the incidence of asthma and allergies with emphasis on arthropod allergens in the patients referring to Imam Reza Clinic of Asthma and Allergy in Shiraz, 2016

Asthma and allergy caused by arthropods are among the most common disorders which affect millions of people around the world. Among these diseases, respiratory allergic diseases and inhaled allergens are of particular importance. In this study we investigated all of the biotic and abiotic factors affecting the incidence and prevalence of allergen-related diseases, with emphasis on the arthropods allergens in the living environments of the patients referring to Imam Reza Clinic of Asthma and Allergy in Shiraz.

We selected 100 patients who had positive allergy skin tests to at least one of the house dust mites or cockroaches randomly. After informed consent, the patients filled out a previously designed questionnaire.

Place of residence (city and village) and type of air-conditioning system showed a significant relationship with the severity of contamination with cockroaches in the settlements of the patients (P value= 0.028 and 0.007). There was a significant relationship between the place of residence and the presence of mites (P value= 0.001). Also lighting and ventilation of the patients' houses showed a strong correlation with the presence of mites. All (100%) of the places in which mites were found had a poor and very poor condition in regard to lighting and ventilation.

Lack of adequate light and ventilation in the patients' houses found to be the main causes of asthma and allergy in the patients. In general, due to the high abundance of some arthropods such as flies (Diptera), ant, silver fish, etc. in the houses of these patients, it can be assumed that arthropods other than mites and cockroaches may exacerbate allergic complications in the susceptible patients.