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A study on allergen sensitivity in patients with allergic rhinitis in Bangalore, India

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 October 2014

G Gowda
Affiliation:
Department of Community Medicine, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, affiliated to the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
S Lakshmi
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, affiliated to the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
B G Parasuramalu
Affiliation:
Department of Community Medicine, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, affiliated to the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
C Nagaraj
Affiliation:
Department of Community Medicine, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, affiliated to the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
B V C Gowda*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, affiliated to the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
K G Somashekara
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, affiliated to the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Giriyanna Gowda, No. 38, 4th Main, Nagarabhavi Main Road, Byraveshwara Nagar, Bangalore 560 072, Karnataka, India E-mail: giriyannagowda@gmail.com

Abstract

Background:

Allergic rhinitis is the most common form of non-infectious rhinitis, affecting 500 million people worldwide, with one-fifth of those affected living in the Indian subcontinent. The skin prick test is the most valuable test for detecting offending allergens, and can be helpful for patient education, allergen avoidance and immunotherapy planning.

Method:

The skin prick test was performed with 49 allergens in 486 patients who presented with symptoms of allergic rhinitis, and the allergen profile was studied.

Results:

Of the 486 allergic rhinitis patients, 335 (68.93 per cent) showed allergen positivity to the skin prick test. Dust mite was the most common allergen, with positive results in 44.65 per cent of cases.

Conclusion:

The most common offending allergen in our study was the dust mite. Identification of specific allergens for a particular geographical area aids patient education and enables allergen-specific immunotherapy.

Type
Main Articles
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2014 

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