title: Allergies in India: an analysis of 3389 patients attending an allergy clinic in Mumbai, India.
abstract: A total of 3389 consecutive patients attending the allergy clinic over a period of 5 years (2003-2007) were analysed by the same physician. Males outnumbered females ie, 53.05% versus 46.95%.; 89.17% of the patients were adults and 10.83% were children. More than 80% of the patients were young, below 40 years of age. Nasobronchial allergies viz, asthma, rhinitis or asthma with rhinitis formed the largest group of patients (76.9%). Total serum IgE levels were elevated in every patient (except in those with contact dermatitis). The highest levels of IgE were seen in patients with atopic dermatitis (mean 1615.47 IU/ml). The house dust mite, D farinae, showed the highest incidence (77.13%) of positive reactions. Positive reactions to foods (16.48%) were more than that reported in western countries, whereas positive reactions to pollen were comparatively low (8.61%). In the contact dermatitis group, nickel sulphate (38.5%) and Parthenium hysterophorus (36.5%) were the commonest allergens on patch testing. Penicillins, sulphonamides and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were the drugs most commonly found to cause allergic reactions in India. The incidence of atopy is estimated to be 28.96% in a randomised survey of the Indian population.
authors.affiliation: Allergy and Asthma Clinic, Mumbai 400 008.
authors.forename: Wiqar A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Shaikh
authors.forename: Shifa Wiqar
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Shaikh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002099:Cacao; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008511:Medicine; D008875:Middle Aged; D011058:Pollen; D039981:Pyroglyphidae; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013038:Specialization