Allergic rhinitis disrupts the
quality of life of a large segment of our
population. Mostly it effects young individuals and can
lead to considerable
morbidity and
complications. There were two main objectives of the study. To find out the
allergens responsible for causing
allergic rhinitis in the
Armed forces personnel and their
families residing in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. To determine the rate of positivity of the
skin prick test in these selected
patients. The study was carried on 200 cases in ENT department CMH Rawalpindi during March 2001 to March 2003.
Patients were selected irrespective of
sex, between the age brackets of 12-60 years.
Patients presented with clinical features of
allergic rhinitis were clinically examined and then
skin prick test were carried out in AFIP Rawalpindi to find out the causative
allergens. Common
allergens on
skin prick test were found to be
house dust [72.6%],
house dust mites [64%], mixed pollens [59.5%],
grass pollens [46%],
paper mulberry [21.5%],
cannabis [13.5%] and moulds [20%]. The rate of positivity of
skin prick test was found to be 88% among the selected
patients of
allergic rhinitis. It is concluded that
determination of causative
allergens form the cornerstone in the management of
allergic rhinitis. Based on these findings a
patient can take preventive
measures against the causative
allergens and a
physician can
diagnose and treat the
patients in a better way