Aeroallergens in allergic rhinitis: a rural Indian survey

Authors

  • Shreyas S. Joshi Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Prakash Medical College, Islampur, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20195632

Keywords:

Allergic rhinitis, Aeroallergens, Skin prick test, Immunotherapy

Abstract

Background: Allergic rhinitis is a global health problem and its incidence is increasing day by day. However, the identification of causative allergen cannot be confirmed on the basis of symptoms or history alone. Hence, skin prick test (SPT) remains the most useful test for detecting specific allergic triggers associated with allergic rhinitis and guide proper immunotherapy. The objective of the study was to study the prevalence of common aeroallergens in allergic rhinitis patients using SPT in our area.

Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 150 patients with allergic rhinitis attending outpatient department of ENT. SPT was performed with 70 common aeroallergens on 150 patients more than 15 years of age with symptoms suggestive of allergic rhinitis.  

Results: One thirty three patients (88.6%) tested positive for at least one or more aeroallergen. Age distribution ranged from 16 years to 56 years. Out of 150 patients, 15% had episodic symptoms, 34% of patients had seasonal allergic symptoms, while 51% of patients had perennial allergic symptoms. The most common aeroallergen group implicated in SPT positivity was dust mites (42%) followed by dust (22%), grass (13%), trees (9%), insects (6%), fungi (5%) and others (3%).

Conclusions: This study indicates a high prevalence of sensitivity to aeroallergens in the rural India. Skin prick test is the gold standard investigation of choice for definitive diagnosis of causative allergen in allergic rhinitis and its further treatment with immunotherapy. 

References

Pawankar R, Canonica GW, Holgate ST, Lockey RF. Allergic diseases as global public health issue. WAO white book on allergy 2011-2012: executive summary. Available at: http//www.world allergy.org/publications/wao_white_book.pdf. Accessed on 3 June 2019.

Wallace DV, Dykewicz MS, Bernstein DI, Blessing Moore J. The diagnosis and management of rhinitis: an updated practice parameter. J Allerg Clin Immun. 2008;122:1-84.

Singh AB, Kumar P. Aeroallergens in clinical practice of allergy in India. An overview. Ann Agric Environ Med. 2003;10(2):131-6.

Badhwar AK, Druse HM. Allergic rhinitis. Med Clin North Am. 1992;76(4):789-803.

Ferguson AC. RAST and allergic disease. B C Med J. 1983;25:568-70.

Agarwal RL, Chandra A, Jain S, Agarwal G. Identification of common allergens by skin prick test associated with united airway disease in Allahabad, Uttarpradesh, India. Ind J Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2008;22(1):7-13.

Prasad R, Verma SK, Dua R, Kant S, Kushwaha RA, Agarwal SP. A study of skin sensitivity to various allergens by skin prick test in patients of nasobronchial allergy. Lung India. 2009;26:70-3.

Mishra M, Chakravarti A, Kumar R. Skin Sensitivity to Aeroallergens in Allergic Rhinitis. Clin Rhinol An Int J. 2013;6(2):64-6.

Farrokhi S, Gheybi MK, Movahed A, Tahmasebi R, Iranpour D, Fatemi A. Common aeroallergens in patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis living in southwestern part of Iran: Based on skin prick test reactivity. Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2015;14(2):133-8.

Downloads

Published

2019-12-23

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles