Sensitivity to wheat flour – Results of the German health interview and examination survey for children and adolescents

Status:

ongoing

Aims:

Baker’s asthma and rhinitis (BK 4301) are among the most common occupational diseases. A better understanding of early sensitization processes is therefore of relevance to both occupational and preventive medicine. While DEGS1 reported a prevalence of wheat flour–specific IgE sensitization of 5.6% in adults, the KiGGS cohort shows a markedly higher rate of 9.9%. This discrepancy raises questions about the significance of early sensitization and potential risk constellations.

The aim of the planned KiGGS analysis is to characterize sensitization patterns to wheat flour in childhood and adolescence and to examine their integration into the broader atopic process. This includes assessing prevalence, sensitization levels, and age‑dependent patterns, as well as exploring possible cross‑reactions – particularly with grass pollen – from an epidemiological perspective. In addition, the study will investigate the extent to which wheat flour–specific IgE is embedded within broader atopic sensitization profiles.

Comparing the KiGGS data with the DEGS1 findings will allow conclusions regarding age‑related differences and potential sensitization pathways. The results may provide valuable insights for the prevention of related occupational diseases and for pediatric allergy research.

Activities/Methods:

The KiGGS baseline study (2003–2006) is a nationwide, population-based cross-sectional health survey conducted by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), including children and adolescents aged 0–17 years living in Germany. For the present analysis, we obtained the relevant questionnaire data and laboratory results from the RKI. Blood samples from participants aged 3–17 years were quantitatively analysed for specific IgE (sIgE) to wheat flour (f4), 19 additional single allergens, and the sx1 inhalant allergen mix. Information on atopic diseases (hay fever, atopic dermatitis, allergic asthma) was collected via a standardized computer-assisted medical interview (CAPI) conducted by trained medical staff and completed by parents or, from age 14, by the participants themselves.

Details on study design, sampling, and sociodemographic weighting procedures have been published elsewhere, as have the general methods of assessing allergic sensitization. For the present evaluation, statistical analyses were performed using the KiGGS weighting factor to correct for deviations from the population structure. We report prevalences, correlations, and odds ratios. Spearman’s correlation coefficients were calculated to assess associations between wheat flour sensitization and sensitization to other allergens. Odds ratios were derived using binary logistic regression.

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