Abstract

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

Background: 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. Aim: 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. Type of Study: Retrospective study. Materials and methods: 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 postbronchodilator according to ATS guidelines. Results: 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. Conclusion: Aeroallergens causes more significant impairment of FEV1 than food allergens.

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