Clinical and Statistical Study of Allergens in the Allergic Rhinitis

ABSTRACT

One hundred and one cases with allergic rhinitis were statistically analysed and 40 students without any allergic symtoms as control group were chosen and nasal eosinophile count were performed. The following results were obtained 1. Among 101 allergic cases the male and female ratio was 45. 2. In 54.5%(55 cases) of the allergic group and 15%(6 cases) of the control group showed a positive reaction in the allergic skin test, but no significant sex difference was found. 3. In the 55 allergy positive cases. the peak incidence was in the 4th decade (27.3%) and next in order was the 3rd and 5th decade age group (21.8%). 4. Twenty six causative allergens by skin test were identified and the most frequent allergens were the animal hairs (43.3%) pre dominantly cat, dog and horse and next in frequency were the pollens (34.7%) and house dust (14.0%). 5. The most sensitive allergic reaction was to the house dust and appeared before the 5th year, animal hairs from 6~9 years, and pollens in the 2nd~3rd decade groups. 6. Among 150 positive reactions in 55 patients, ++(60) was the most frequent reaction level and next in order was +(58), +++(26) and ++++(6). 7. The allergic rhinitis due to food was only 2% which included two cases of mussel and a case of mushroom sensitivity. 8. Only 27% of the cases with positive skin, test showed single allergen sensitivity and 73% were multiple allergen sensitivity. 9. The most common combination of multiple allergens was between a variety of animal hairs, animal hairs and house dust, animal hairs and pollens, a variety of pollens and house dust in that order. 10. Among 101 cases of allergic rhinitis, 56.4% (57 cases) showed nasal eosinophilia and 64.9% (30 cases) of these revealed a positive skin test.