Association between latitude and allergic diseases

摘要

To the Editor: Dr. V. Oktaria et al published an interesting study1 in the Annals. This study documented increased allergy prevalence in Australians living in more equatorial regions compared with those living in more temperate areas of Australia. Previously2^4 researchers into allergic disease prevalence occurring in temperate and subtropical areas thought that these illnesses presented more frequently there than in patients living in more equatorial environments. In Jamaica,5 we documented a higher prevalence of allergy-related illnesses than that found in more temperate regions. I have also been (verbally) informed that a study of school children in Trinidad (Lat. N 10.5526°) showed a nearly 25% allergic disease prevalence compared with the 21% found in Jamacian5 (Lat. N 18.1315°) school children. Allergy-related illnesses frequently occur in all ethnic groups. The West Indian population is a mixture of Blacks predominately with minorities of Asian and white individuals.