Međudjelovanje genskog polimorfizma filagrina i načina života kod atopijskih bolesti u mladoj odrasloj populaciji Interaction of filaggrin gene polymorphisms and environmental factors with atopic diseases in young adult population

摘要

Pathogenesis of atopic disorders such as atopic rhinitis, atopic asthma and atopic dermatitis lies in gene-environment interactions. Hypothesis of this study is that in Croatian population filaggrin gene (FLG) polymorphisms (R501X, 2282del4, R2447X i S3247X) contribue to atopic diseases, and that this contribution is modulated by environmetal factors (settlement type, heating type, animal contact, smoking, physical activity, BMI, nutrition). The study enrolled 439 freshmen students at the University of Zagreb which underwent allergy testing, spirometry with bronchodilatation testing, FLG genotyping and answering a questionnaire regarding health, lifestyle and food intake. Results indicate low frequency of investigated FLG null mutations (2,6%), thus being unconfirmed as significant etiological factors for atopy and atopic diseases in this population. However, significant risk for atopy was associated with male gender, paternal family history of hay-fever and rodent pet exposure in later childhood. Elevated risk of atopic symptom expression was positively associated with female gender, maternal family history of respiratory and skin allergy, childhood cat exposure, physical inactivity, lower BMI, households with central heating and offal consumption. Exposure to birds and farm animals in early childhood was protective against atopy, whereas higher consumption of apples and citrus fruits protected from symptoms of atopic diseases.