Purpose:To evaluate the specific allergic sensitization and epidemiological characteristics of vernal keratoconjunctivitis(VKC).Methods:This retrospective non-comparative case series included 406 VKC patients.Data inc...Purpose:To evaluate the specific allergic sensitization and epidemiological characteristics of vernal keratoconjunctivitis(VKC).Methods:This retrospective non-comparative case series included 406 VKC patients.Data included patient and family histories,and results of allergic tests.Annual incidence and prevalence rates were calculated for a cohort of 128 VKC patients from the greater Padua area.Results:The great majority of VKC patients were male(76%),with a male:female ratio of 3.3:1.A skin prick test,specific serum IgE or conjunctival challenge was positive in 43%,56% and 58% of patients,respectively.In the cohort of patients from the Padua area,the prevalence of the disease was 7.8/100 000,with a higher rate in young males(57/100 000)compared with young females(22/100 000),and lower rates in people over 16 years of age(3.8/100 000 in males,1/100 000 in females).The incidence of VKC was 1/100 000,with a higher rate in males under 16 years of age(10/100 000)compared with females(4.2/100 000).In people over 16 years of age,the incidence of the disease was 0.06/100 000,with no difference between males and females.Conclusion:An IgE-mediated sensitization was found in only half of the VKC patients.Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is not a rare event in the paediatric population but is an extremely rare new disease in adults.展开更多
文摘Purpose:To evaluate the specific allergic sensitization and epidemiological characteristics of vernal keratoconjunctivitis(VKC).Methods:This retrospective non-comparative case series included 406 VKC patients.Data included patient and family histories,and results of allergic tests.Annual incidence and prevalence rates were calculated for a cohort of 128 VKC patients from the greater Padua area.Results:The great majority of VKC patients were male(76%),with a male:female ratio of 3.3:1.A skin prick test,specific serum IgE or conjunctival challenge was positive in 43%,56% and 58% of patients,respectively.In the cohort of patients from the Padua area,the prevalence of the disease was 7.8/100 000,with a higher rate in young males(57/100 000)compared with young females(22/100 000),and lower rates in people over 16 years of age(3.8/100 000 in males,1/100 000 in females).The incidence of VKC was 1/100 000,with a higher rate in males under 16 years of age(10/100 000)compared with females(4.2/100 000).In people over 16 years of age,the incidence of the disease was 0.06/100 000,with no difference between males and females.Conclusion:An IgE-mediated sensitization was found in only half of the VKC patients.Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is not a rare event in the paediatric population but is an extremely rare new disease in adults.
