Journal of Allergy & Therapy

Abstract

The Frequency of Common Allergens in Allergic Rhinitis among the Patients Referred to the Allergy Clinic of Qods Hospital in Qazvin during 2007-2010

Manuchehr Mahram, Ameneh Barikani and Negin Nejatian

Introduction: Allergic respiratory diseases such as allergic rhinitis are highly prevalent throughout the world. Allergens or allergic agents are considered as the agents causing or exacerbating such diseases.

Objective: Identifying and determining the frequency of common aeroallergens in allergic rhinitis in Qazvin.

Materials and methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, all patients with allergic rhinitis referred to the allergy clinic of Qods hospital in Qazvin during 2007-2010 were examined through skin prick test with 11 aeroallergens. The data on age, gender, patients’ referring season, and skin test results were recorded in the questionnaire and test sheet. The data so collected was analyzed by SPSS16 using Chi-square tests, student’s t-test, and Fisher’s exact test with a significant level of P<0.05.

Findings: 163 patients were included in the study. The average age of patients was 24.6 ± 1.26 and the ratio of women to men was 1.3. 69.3% of them showed positive skin test at least to one of the allergens under study. The highest sensitivity to weed pollens (Russian thistle) was found to be 58.9% and then to grass (12 grasses) with 28.9%, birch tree with 26.7%, and wheat with 14.4% from among plant aeroallergens. Beetle with 42.2%, Alternaria fungus with 26.7%, cat with 25.6%, mite D.P with 21.1, mite D.F with 20%, penicillium fungus with 15.6%, and feather with 14.4% from among non-plant aeroallergens were at the next levels respectively.

Conclusions: The highest prevalence of allergy was seen to weed pollens (Russian thistle), grass (12 grasses), beetle and alternaria fungus.