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Assessment of pet exposure by self report in epidemiological studies of allergy and asthma: a systematic review

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 23:13 authored by Christian Apfelbacher, Edward Frew, Ally Xiang, Alex Apfel, Helen Smith
OBJECTIVE: In epidemiological studies that aim to investigate the relationship between pet exposure and allergy/asthma, pet exposure is often ascertained by means of a questionnaire, but it is unclear which questionnaire items are used. The objective of this study was to systematically review self-reported pet exposure assessment in questionnaires used in epidemiological studies which explore the associations between pets and allergy/asthma. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and papers were selected according to prespecified eligibility criteria. The pet exposure questions used were classified within a framework including direct pet contact, indirect pet contact (e.g. through carers or grandparents) and avoidance behaviour. Authors were contacted when the questions used were not reported in detail. RESULTS: 96 full text papers were systematically reviewed. All studies assessed direct pet contact, but less than half (45%) explicitly assessed whether pets were allowed indoors. The vast majority of studies assessed both pet exposure during the first year of life and after the first year of life. The minority (13%) assessed whether pet(s) were kept at places regularly visited by the child and pet exposure in utero (15%). Even fewer studies assessed indirect contact to pets (n=8) and avoidance behaviour (n=10). CONCLUSIONS: In epidemiological studies, the ascertainment of pet exposure through questionnaires appears to vary greatly. This variation might partly explain the inconsistent and contradictory results of the effects of pet exposure on the development of allergy and asthma.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

Journal of Asthma

ISSN

0277-0903

Publisher

Tailor and Francis

Issue

4

Volume

53

Page range

363-373

Department affiliated with

  • BSMS Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2015-11-18

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