RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous test practice to identify atopy is recommended in persons who suffer persistent asthma. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of allergen sensitization in a group of adult asthma patients; plus, to investigate about the differences that exist between atopic and non-atopic asthmatic persons. METHODS: Consecutive asthmatic outpatients were evaluated for the first time in an Allergology Service. They were analyzed through clinical history, physical examination, and allergic cutaneous reactivity to any of 38- allergen panel. IgE serum levels were quantified too. RESULTS: One hundred eighty one asthmatic patients were included. Mean age was 40 years; 75.1% were women; in 59.9%, asthma was accompanied by allergic rhinitis; 81.2% fulfilled the atopy criteria. On average, each patient had 7.2 positive skin tests, corresponding to house-dust mite the highest frequency, followed by cockroach. Subjects age correlated negatively with the amount of positive cutaneous test and IgE serum levels, and positively with severity of asthma. IgE serum level higher than 100UI/ml was identified as a predictive factor for atopic asthma (OR = 3.1, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: A substancial amount of asthmatic patients were atopic. The most highly sensitizing allergens were house-dust mite and cockroach. Differences between atopic and non-atopic asthmatics depended on their age and IgE serum levels.
