Biomaterial Database

An analysis of skin prick test reactions in asthmatics in a hot climate and desert environment. 2002

A Bener, and W Safa, and S Abdulhalik, and G G Lestringant

Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Tawam Hospital, Ministry of Health, Al-Ain, UAE.

BACKGROUND Studies have shown that allergens are very important sensitizing agents in patients with asthma. Respiratory disorders such as asthma and allergic rhinitis are common in the United Arab Emirates, (UAE). OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between allergen specific IgE antibodies and skin test reactivity in patients with asthma in hot climate and desert Arabian country. METHODS A hospital-based prospective study conducted. METHODS Tawam Teaching Hospital, Al-Ain, UAE. METHODS 327 adult patients recruited with respiratory, dermatologic and ophthalmologic diseases of suspected allergic origin who attended Tawam Teaching Hospital of Faculty of Medicine, Al Ain, UAE, during three years from 1996 to 1998. METHODS Skin Prick Test (SPT) and radioallegosorbent tests (RAST) were performed on 327 patients for common allergens. The blood sample was taken for measuring specific IgE concentration. RESULTS There were 327 UAE patients of whom 117 (35.8%) were males and 210 (64.2%) were females. The population sample had a higher prevalence of diagnosed asthma among females (48.1%) than in males (36.7%). Skin prick testing showed that 244 patients (74.6%) had positive results, and 83 patients (25.4%) were found to be skin test negative. 44% had a positive family history of asthma. The twelve most common reactions in the United Arab Emirates were: Mesquite (45.5%), Grass Mix (40.7%). Cottonwood (33.1%), Bermuda Grass (31.3%), Kochi (25.8%), Acacia (25.6%), Alfalfa (22.9%), Chenopodium (19.6%), Date palm (13.8%), Cockroach (14.7%), house dust (11.9) and Dust mite (9.5%). Total IgE level (> 100 kU/l) was strongly associated with history of wheeze (p = 0.019), asthma (p = 0.01) and allergic rhinitis (p < 0.0001), atopy (p < 0.0001) and the presence of specific IgE antibodies to grass pollen (p < 0.0001), mite (p = 0.008) and cockroaches (p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS The present study revealed that hypersensitivity to pollens, house dust, dust mite and cockroach was common. The family history, environment, and airborne allergens are identified to be risk factors for asthma and other allergic diseases in Arabian Gulf Countries.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007073	Immunoglobulin E	An immunoglobulin associated with MAST CELLS. Overexpression has been associated with allergic hypersensitivity (HYPERSENSITIVITY, IMMEDIATE).	IgE
D007313	Insecta	Members of the phylum ARTHROPODA composed or organisms characterized by division into three parts: head, thorax, and abdomen. They are the dominant group of animals on earth with several hundred thousand different kinds. Three orders, HEMIPTERA; DIPTERA; and SIPHONAPTERA; are of medical interest in that they cause disease in humans and animals. (From Borror et al., An Introduction to the Study of Insects, 4th ed, p1).	Insects,Insect
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D008925	Mites	Any arthropod of the subclass ACARI except the TICKS. They are minute animals related to the spiders, usually having transparent or semitransparent bodies. They may be parasitic on humans and domestic animals, producing various irritations of the skin (MITE INFESTATIONS). Many mite species are important to human and veterinary medicine as both parasite and vector. Mites also infest plants.	Acarus,Mite
D010045	Outpatients	Persons who receive ambulatory care at an outpatient department or clinic without room and board being provided.	Out-patients,Out patients,Out-patient,Outpatient
D011058	Pollen	The fertilizing element of plants that contains the male GAMETOPHYTES.	Male Gametes, Plant,Male Gametophytes,Microspores, Plant,Plant Microspores,Pollen Grains,Gamete, Plant Male,Gametes, Plant Male,Gametophyte, Male,Gametophytes, Male,Grain, Pollen,Grains, Pollen,Male Gamete, Plant,Male Gametophyte,Microspore, Plant,Plant Male Gamete,Plant Male Gametes,Plant Microspore,Pollen Grain
D011446	Prospective Studies	Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group.	Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D011852	Radioallergosorbent Test	An in vitro allergen radioimmunoassay in which allergens are coupled to an immunosorbent. The coupled allergens bind the IgE in the sera of patients which in turn binds radioisotope-labeled anti-IMMUNOGLOBULIN E antibodies.	Radioimmunosorbent Assay of Allergens,Allergens Radioimmunosorbent Assay,Allergens Radioimmunosorbent Assays,Radioallergosorbent Tests,Test, Radioallergosorbent,Tests, Radioallergosorbent
D002648	Child	A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL.	Children