relationship of allergic rhinitis/asthma with skin test reactivity and serum IGE levels

ABSTRACT

The relationship between intradermal skin tests reactivity and serum level of total IgE was evaluated in 200 atopic subjects selected from a general population sample randomly [having strong family history of allergy] attending ENT OPD of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore. Intradermal test results were related to the history of allergy status of the patients and total serum IgE levels. Intradermal test reactivity to dust and pollen correlated with the presence of allergy symptoms. Similarly mean total serum IgE levels [Behring method] were significantly higher [P<0.001] in allergic [333.3 I.U./ml] than in non-allergic subjects [75.34 I.U./ml]. Positive association was found between the degree of intracutaneous test results and serum IgE levels