The role of the environment: allergies and asthma in a rural setting from childhood to adulthood - Bavaria-wide follow-up study of the GABRIEL cohort

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Michael Schloter; Dr. Laura Wengenroth
• Subject Area: Epidemiology and Medical Biometry/Statistics ; Clinical Immunology and Allergology
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 538942729

Numerous studies indicate that agricultural environments can protect against asthma, hay fever, and allergies. The cross-sectional study GABRIEL, conducted in 2007, utilized extensive questionnaires, biological samples, and specific IgE measurements to investigate the factors within rural settings that protect from allergies and childhood asthma. In Bavaria, 2,297 children participated. The transition of the GABRIEL cohort into a prospective follow-up is now essential in order to examine the long-term course of asthma and allergies during the transition into adulthood, while accounting for changes in residential locations and microbiome compositions. The feasibility of such a follow-up has already been successfully tested by re-contacting the now adult participants of the GABRIEL study in 2020. Among them, 1,513 (66%) were located again, and they agreed to the continued use of their data and provided updated contact information for the follow-up. A forthcoming follow-up of the GABRIEL study aims to investigate still insufficiently explored associations: During which life stages do specific exposures influence the incidence, remission, and persistence of asthma and allergies (window of opportunity)? Which microbiome composition in the environment (house dust) and the body (nasal swabs) can provide protection against asthma and allergies?

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigators: Professor Dr. Dennis Nowak; Professorin Dr. Katja Radon