Serum Immunoglobulin E Level and Its Relationship with Eosinophil Count among Patients with Allergic Rhinitis in Tertiary Hospital in Bauchi, Northeastern Nigeria: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Allergic rhinitis is an immunoglobulin E-mediated hypersensitivity disease of the mucous membrane of the nasal airway. There is a paucity of information regarding serum immunoglobulin E level and its relationship with eosinophil count among patients with allergic rhinitis in our facility and Northeastern Nigeria. Aim: To determine serum immunoglobulin E level and its relationship with eosinophil count among patients with allergic rhinitis. Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study of consecutive patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis that were recruited from the ear, nose, and throat surgery and respiratory medicine clinics of ATBUTH, Bauchi, Bauchi State, Northeastern Nigeria, from January 01, 2022, to May 31, 2023. Five milliliters of blood were analyzed for immunoglobulin E estimation using an immunoglobulin E ELISA kit and determination of eosinophil count using pack five hematologic autoanalyzer. Extracted data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 23.0 software. Result: There were 61 patients studied comprising 22 (36.1%) males and 39 (63.9%) females with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.7. Their ages range from 18 to 77 years old. The mean age, serum IgE level, and eosinophil counts of all three patients were 38.65 ± 14.34 years, 371.24 ± 82.63 IU/ml, and 3.35 ± 2.87%, respectively. All (100%) participants had raised serum IgE levels, and 88.5% had normal eosinophil count. There was no significant correlation between the serum IgE level and eosinophil counts (r = −0.206; P = 0.112). Conclusion: All of the participants had a high serum IgE level. There was no significant association between serum IgE and eosinophil count.