Cohn et al identified risk factors for a person being exposed to cockroach allergens. This can help identify a patient who should be tested for cockroach allergy. The authors are from Constella Group, LLC and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.
Highest risk:
(1) >= 50 cockroaches seen per day
High risk:
(1) >= 5 cockroaches seen per day
(2) presence of live or dead cockroaches
(3) signs of recent cockroach activity (stains, etc.)
(4) recent history of a problem with cockroaches
Moderate risk:
(1) history of a problem with cockroaches 2-4 months ago
(2) food debris in room
(3) moisture in room
(4) rodents in room
(5) noncarpeted floor
(6) home not air conditioned
(7) smoking in the home
(8) old construction in a major metropolitan area
(9) low family income
(10) multiple family building
The authors found evidence of cockroach allergens throughout the United States and across all social strata.
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