Introduction

Allergic rhinitis (AR) and accompanying allergic conjunctivitis (AC) are a significant health concern in highly urbanized populations.

Aim

Analysis of changes in serum concentrations of specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) to aeroallergens in adult patients diagnosed in a large urban center (Warsaw) during the period of 2010–2022.

Material and methods

A retrospective analysis was performed on 305 patients admitted to the Military Institute of Medicine in Warsaw (group I: n = 165 in 2010–2012; group II: n = 140 in 2020–2022). The concentration of specific IgE antibodies (sIgE) against a panel of aeroallergens was determined using a Phadia 250 analyzer with the ImmunoCAP System (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Uppsala, Sweden). Logistic regression models adjusted for age and gender were used.

Results

A significant increase in the prevalence of Dermatophagoides farinae (D. farinae) sensitization was observed (from 6.2% to 14.3%; p = 0.030). The odd ratio (OR) of a positive sIgE result for D. farinae was 3.59 times higher in 2020–2022 (OR =3.59; 95% CI: 1.47–9.43; p = 0.007). In the case of D. farinae, a significant transition to higher classes was observed (p = 0.021); in 2020–2022, 63.6% of patients showed a high degree of sensitization (classes 3–5), while in 2010–2012, 75.0% of patients with a positive result showed low sensitivity (classes 1–2). No significant temporal changes in the pollen allergy profile were found, but male gender was a strong predictor of sensitization to grasses and cereals (e.g., orchard grass and rye) (OR = 2.51 for rye; p = 0.016). The risk of allergy decreased with the age of patients (OR = 0.97; p = 0.019).

Conclusions

A rapid increase in the significance and severity of the house dust mite (D. farinae) sensitization as a major year-round allergen has been observed. The results confirm the progressive “westernization” of the allergic profile in Poland, characterized by the dominance of indoor allergens and a strong, gender-dependent predisposition to pollen allergies.