Validation of the score for allergic rhinitis [SFAR] in Sudan

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to validate the Score for Allergic Rhinitis [SFAR] in clinically diagnosed Allergic Rhinitis patients in Sudan and to identify the most common allegens and other factors causing hypersensitivity. A cross-sectional study was carried out in the departments of Physiology, National Ribat University [Khartoum city] and Ahfad University for Women [Omdurman city], Sudan. Seventy three patients, 18-65 years of age, both sexes [40 females and 33 males], suffering from either Allergic Rhinitis referred by ENT Hospitals Units, or Asthma referred by Ribat hospital chest until or both and forty control [26 females and 14 males] without any nasal pathology were included in the study. The score for allergic rhinitis [SFAR] questionnaire was validated using skin prick test for common allergens. Ninety seven percent of both AR asthmatics and non-asthmatics have a score for AR >/= 7 compared to none of the control. 55.6% of AR patients and 61.8% of AR Asthmatic patients have positive skin tests [for at least one allergen], giving a sensitivity and specificity of 60.3% and 90% respectively for the SFAR. We have also found that the positive skin prick tests for at least one allergen were higher within AR asthmatic patients than within AR non asthmatics and Control, 61.9%, 55.6% and 10% respectively. The result showed that the Score for Allergic Rhinitis can be used with 60.3% confidence to diagnose AR in Sudan. The most common allergens causing hypersensitivity are D.Pteronyssinus, D. farine, Cats, Cockroaches and Betulace family trees