Prevalence of bee venom allergy in children and adults living in rural area of Cheju Island

Abstract

Background: Prevalence of bee venom allergy in Korea is unknown. Objective: We performed a cross-sectional study to evaluate the prevalence of bee venom allergy and importance of risk factors, such as age, sex, and atopy, in the development of the allergic reaction in children and adults living in rural area of Cheju Island. Material and Method: The prevalence was investigated in subjects with 1,054 children and 370 adults (701 male, 723 female), aged 7-87 years, living in rural area of Cheju Island. A history particularly focused on the systemic reactions after the bee stings was taken in all subjects. Skin prick test,s to common inhalant allergens, including house dust mites, fungi, tree, grass, mugwort and ragweed pollen, cockroach, animal epithelium, Japanese cedar pollen, and citrus red mite were performed. Results: The prevalence of bee venom allergy was 5.8% (mild systemic reactions 5.0%, severe systemic reactions 0.8% ). The prevalence was higher in adults than in children (10.2% vs. 5.0%, g = 12.0, p<0.01). Among the children, the prevalerlce wB.S Signifcantly higher ill male than in female (8.6% vs. 1.3%, x=28.7, p<0.01), but no significant diffecence was noted between male and female in adults (10.0% vs. 10.3%, p>0.05). The prevalence of bee venom allergy was not significantly different between subjects with positive skin reaction and those with negative skin reaction to inhalant allergens (6.4% vs. 5.4% ), Conclusion: The prevlence of bee venom allergy in inhabitants of rural area of Cheju Island is 5.8% (mild systemic,’ 5.0%, severe systemic reaction. 0.8%), and bee venom allergy was more common in adults than in children, and in male children than in female children.