Analysis of common allergens affecting patients with allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an atopic disorder that affects the quality of life of the patients. AR symptoms include sneezing, nasal congestion, and mucus discharge. It is often associated with several other eye-, ear-, and nose-related symptoms along with fatigue and mood changes. The allergic reaction is triggered by an allergen. An understanding of the allergens that affect a patient is important for allergen avoidance, and ultimately, the treatment of AR. This study aimed to identify the common allergens affecting patients with AR. A total of 52 patients with AR were identified for this study. AR was diagnosed based on the presenting symptoms and measurement of IgE levels and absolute eosinophil counts. Skin prick tests (SPT) were performed to identify the allergen sensitivity of the patients. Patient history, family history, and a detailed account of the symptoms were recorded. Finally, correlation between family history and allergy severity was statistically evaluated. All patients presented symptoms of rhinitis with sinusitis and 61.5% of these were mild or moderate allergic. Few of the patients had ocular or otic symptoms. The duration of allergy was variable in these patients. A high proportion of patients were allergic to house dust mites (92.3%). The proportion of patients allergic to pollen, Parthenium, cockroach, cotton dust, and Aspergillus were 84.6%, 76.9%, 75%, 65.4%, and 61.5%, respectively. Around 71.2% of patients reported a family history of allergy. SPT severity was not associated with family history (p=0.266). This study successfully identifies the common allergens affecting patients with AR from Chennai, India. It highlights the importance of SPT for the identification of allergens in deciding the treatment regimen for AR.