Relevance of skin prick test, serum total immunoglobulin E, and absolute eosinophil counts in asthma patients

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a multifaceted condition defined by chronic airway inflammation. Skin prick test (SPT), serum total immunoglobulin E (tIgE), and absolute eosinophil counts (AEC) estimation are commonly available tools for evaluating allergen sensitization. OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluates the sensitivity to common aeroallergens and also compares serum tIgE and AEC levels with spirometry in Indian individuals with a history of allergy symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational prospective study was conducted in the Outpatient Department of Viswanathan Chest Hospital, VPCI, Delhi, between 2017 and 2019. Two hundred asthma patients diagnosed as per the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines undergo SPT against a battery of common aeroallergens and measured serum tIgE and AEC. RESULTS: Out of 200 cases, the overall prevalence of common aeroallergens sensitization was found to be 57% (114) in asthmatic patients (atopic). SPT positivity to common aeroallergens was highest in people between the ages of 21 and 30 and lowest in people over 50. The most prevalent annoying aeroallergens were found to be weed pollens (14%), house dust mites (11%), fungi (10.5%), tree pollen (9.5%), dust (6%), kapok cotton (5.5%), grass pollen (3.5%), silk (1.5%), and wool (1%). The mean tIgE was higher in atopic asthmatic patients than in nonatopic asthmatic patients (553.25 ± 218.12 IU/ml and 489.1 ± 251.16 IU/ml; P = 0.056). CONCLUSION: In the present study, we found that insects are the most common offending aeroallergens with higher SPT sensitivity and serum tIgE in atopic patients. Spirometry severity is not affected by allergens sensitivity in asthma patients.