Co-existence of asthma with allergic rhinitis and common allergens in Al Ain, UAE: a cross-sectional study

Objective: To describe and quantify, co-existence of Allergic Rhinitis [along with the serum levels of IgE and Eosinophils] in patients with Asthma and specifically to describe common allergens found in patients with Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis in Al Ain, UAE

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Methods: A descriptive study was conducted from June 2014 to July 2015 at Al Ain Hospital, UAE, a Tertiary care health facility in the private sector. Patients [>12 years] diagnosed as having Asthma and or Allergic Rhinitis [as per clinical evaluation based on Global Initiative for Asthma [GINA] and Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma [ARIA] Guidelines were subjected to skin allergy test, serum IgE levels and Eosinophils count were obtained after informed consent

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Results: Seventy one percent patients were found to have co existing Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis. Serum IgE levels were significantly associated with a positive skin allergy test while serum Eosinophil counts were not. Dust mite, Cat fur, Cockroach, Russian thistle, Bermuda grass and Date palm were the commonest allergens detected

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Conclusion: These results suggest high prevalence of co-existing Asthma and Allergic Rhinitis in Al Ain, UAE. Since the main fraction of local population lives in this region of UAE, this data may represent UAE overall. Patient education about prevention from causal allergens may play an important role in management