Sensitization to common allergens in adults with asthma.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of atopy (ie, allergen sensitization) in a sample of adult asthma outpatients.


METHODS
Population consisted of a total of 218 patients, 18 to 55 years of age, who were currently receiving care for asthma; and 13 physicians, whose specialties were Family Practice, Allergy, or Pulmonology and who were providing care to at least 10 to 15 asthma patients weekly. Patients provided a blood sample for quantification of total and allergen-specific IgE. Outcomes were the proportion of patients with atopy and the proportions of patients with elevated serum IgE specific to each of 8 specific common allergens.


RESULTS
The patients' mean age was 42 years, and 74% were women; 68% of patients met the study definition of atopy. Total serum IgE > or = 114 kU/L was observed in 48% of patients, and 59% had elevated levels of IgE specific to one or more of 8 common allergens.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of adult asthma outpatients had evidence of atopy and most were sensitive to a specific identifiable allergen. Awareness of the high prevalence of atopy among asthma patients might improve patient management.
Allen-Ramey
Felicia
F
Outcomes Research and Management, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, PA 19486, USA.
Schoenwetter
William F
WF
Weiss
Thomas W
TW
Westerman
David
D
Majid
Nasira
N
Markson
Leona E
LE
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E