Affiliation:
1. Basurto University Hospital: Hospital Universitario Basurto
2. Basurto Hospital: Hospital de Basurto
Abstract
Abstract
Background: The diagnosis of Alpha-gal Syndrome (AGS) is based on the presence of symptoms after being exposed to potential sources of alpha-gal together with values of specific IgE (sIgE) to alpha-gal ≥ 0.1 kUA/L or ≥0.35 kUA/L. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic validity of sIgE levels to alpha-gal ≥ 0.1 kUA/L for identifying AGS.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of adult patients with available data on sIgE levels to alpha-gal, classified into two groups according to the presence (Group 1) or absence (Group 2) of symptoms after being exposed to potential sources of alpha-gal. Values of sIgE to alpha-gal ≥ 0.1 kUA/l were considered a positive result. A descriptive analysis of internal and external validity parameters was performed in the entire population and adjusted by sex.
Results: The study included 33 individuals in Group 1 and 65 in Group 2, with a mean age of around 47 years. The analysis of internal validity parameters revealed a high sensitivity, specificity, and positive probability ratio, with higher sensitivity in men and higher specificity in women. The analysis of external validity parameters showed a high negative predictive value and global value in all populations and both sexes. However, the positive predictive value was relatively high in men, but low in women.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that sIgE levels ≥ 0.1 kUA/L may be a useful tool for the diagnosis of AGS, although other factors and diagnostic techniques should also be considered.
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC
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