title: Comparing nasal secretion eosinophil count with skin sensitivity test in allergic rhinitis in Ibadan, Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this prospective study was to assess the usefulness of nasal smear eosinophilia compared with a skin sensitivity test for the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis and to determine the degree of correlation between the tests.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty patients with a clinical history suggestive of nasal allergy and 20 controls were studied. A range of allergens were used for the skin sensitivity test in both groups. Nasal smears were examined by light microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A positive skin test reaction was demonstrated in 90% of the study population and 25% of the controls, whereas 76% of the patients and 15% of the controls demonstrated significant nasal smear eosinophilia. There was 66% correlation between the skin test and nasal eosinophilia, although this was not statistically significant (correlation coefficient -0.187 p = 0.193). This study does, however, demonstrate that both tests are sensitive for the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis, with sensitivities of 0.90 (95% CI 0.82-0.98) for the skin test and 0.76 (95% CI 0.64-0.88) for nasal eosinophilia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both the skin-prick test and the nasal smear eosinophilia showed correlation with the clinical history, although the skin-prick test was more sensitive. No statistically significant correlation was demonstrable between the two tests.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK. takwoingi@aol.com
authors.forename: Yohanna
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takwoingi
authors.forename: Effiong
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Akang
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nwaorgu
authors.forename: Clement
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nwawolo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests / Q000379:methods; D009549:Nigeria; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods