title: IgE values in the allergic and healthy Israeli population.
abstract: This study was designed to establish IgE values in different allergic diseases in an Israeli population and healthy controls. The geometric mean IgE in the control group was 41 IU/mL (range = 15 to 111 IU/mL) and in the atopic group 142 IU/mL (range = 36 to 556 IU/mL). The highest values were found in patients with asthma plus allergic rhinitis plus atopic dermatitis and asthma plus atopic dermatitis. The lowest values were from patients with urticaria. There was a gradual increase in IgE levels from 4 to 10 years and then a gradual decrease. IgE was significantly higher in males, particularly in the 21 to 40-year age group and above 60 years. There was no difference in IgE levels in the various ethnic groups. There was a correlation between IgE levels and the number of positive skin tests. Peripheral eosinophilia was found in one-third of the patients with low IgE and in 2/3 of the patients with IgE above 500 IU/mL. An IgE of 120 IU/mL or more was found in 56% of patients with asthma in addition to other atopic diseases. Only 10% of normal controls had an IgE value of 120 IU/mL or more. These results are similar to those reported from European and North American countries.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pulmonary and Allergic Diseases, Ichilov Hospital, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hetman
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kivity
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Greif
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Fireman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Topilsky
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis*; D007223:Infant; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000276:immunology; D012882:Skin Tests; D014581:Urticaria / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007073:Immunoglobulin E