Questionnaire-based Study on the Relationship between Pet-keeping and Allergic Diseases in Young Children in Japan
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- Fukao Toshiyuki
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University
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- Fukutomi Osamu
- Fukutomi Clinic
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- Hirayama Kouichiro
- Clinical Data Care
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- Teramoto Takahide
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University
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- Kaneko Hideo
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University
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- Kondo Masashi
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University
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- Matsui Eiko
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University
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- Kondo Naomi
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu University
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Abstract
Background: It is still unclear how early exposure to pets is related to the risk of developing atopy-related diseases in children. There are few reports on this pet-allergy relationship in Japan although much controversial data have been reported in Europe and the USA.<br> Methods: A questionnaire on pet-keeping and allergic diseases was distributed to parents of children 3—6 years of age who belonged to 4 kindergarten and 2 nursery schools in Gifu city and surrounding areas. A total of 1185 questionnaires were analyzed statistically.<br> Results: Bronchial asthma (11.6%), atopic dermatitis (16.5%), and allergic rhinitis (16.5%) were reported. Dogs, cats, hamsters, rabbits, and birds were kept by 21.6%, 5.5%, 10%, 1.5%, and 2.6% of all families, respectively. Indoor pets with fur resulted in a significantly higher prevalence of atopic dermatitis (OR = 1.82, 95%CI 1.26-2.63) using univariate analysis and also in multivariate logistic regression analysis. We also found a significantly higher prevalence of atopic dermatitis in subjects who started keeping dogs and/or cats indoors after 1 year of age, compared to subjects who kept neither dogs nor cats, using both univariate analysis (OR = 2.26, 95%CI 1.13—4.54) and multivariate logistic regression analysis (OR = 2.17, 95%CI 1.09-4.32).<br> Conclusions: We found no evidence that pet-keeping protects people from developing various allergies. Conversely, indoor pets with fur have a slightly increased prevalence of atopic dermatitis.<br>
Journal
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- Allergology International
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Allergology International 54 (4), 521-526, 2005
Japanese Society of Allergology
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Details 詳細情報について
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- CRID
- 1390001204634261632
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- NII Article ID
- 10016880688
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- NII Book ID
- AA11091750
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- ISSN
- 14401592
- 13238930
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- Text Lang
- en
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- Data Source
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- JaLC
- Crossref
- CiNii Articles
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- Abstract License Flag
- Disallowed