A Study on Profile of Allergens and the Severity of FEV1 in Allergy Patients in a Tertiary Care Centre in Mangalore, India

Bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis are the conditions which are co-existent and are a part of the inflammatory cascade. Allergens trigger the inflammation and initiate the allergic march. The pattern and the frequency of allergenicity may bring out changes in spirometric parameters.

To identify the pattern of allergen sensitization in patients with bronchial asthma (BA) and allergic rhinitis (AR). To correlate the severity of FEV1 (forced expiratory volume at a time interval of 1 sec) in patients with allergy. To delineate the offending allergen geographically based on the coastal and the non-coastal region.

Retrospective study.

The data regarding the skin prick test (SPT) and spirometry were collected along with demographic and clinical symptoms from the patients who visited the Department of pulmonary medicine in K S Hedge Medical Academy. SPT was performed using standard kits and procedures accordingly. Spirometry performed pre and post-bronchodilator according to ATS guidelines.

Total 100 patients were enrolled in the study, with almost equal gender distribution (males were 49% and females were 51%), 58% were using inhaler medications at the time of SPT. Predominant symptoms were breathlessness (77%), cough (68%) and sneezing (66%). SPT showed sensitivity predominantly to aeroallergens like house dust mites (84%) followed by acacia (58%), and mesquite (58%). The mean FEV1 was 1.74 L in the study group.

Aeroallergens causes more significant impairment of FEV1 than food allergens.