Key nasal symptoms predicting a positive skin test in allergic rhinitis and patient characteristics according to ARIA classification.
OBJECTIVE
To find predicting symptom(s) in patients with a positive skin test, and identify patient characteristics according to ARIA classification.


METHODS
Four hundred and thirty four rhinologic patients were retrospectively studied. Nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, itching, sneezing, and smell dysfunction were assessed. Patients were also classified according to the ARIA guideline.


RESULTS
Of 434 patients, 277 (63.8%) were skin prick test positive. There was no statistical difference in sex, but the mean age of the positive skin test group was lower than that in the negative group (p < 0.05). Intermittent or persistent symptoms and total symptom score were not significantly different. Severe nasal itching was more common in the positive group (p = 0.04). The impact of symptoms was similar between the two groups, except for self-reported comorbidity, which was higher in the negative group (p = 0.039).


CONCLUSIONS
There were no predicting symptoms and no difference in the symptom characteristics for the patients with positive skin test.
Chaiyasate
Saisawat
S
Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand. schaiyasate@yahoo.com
Roongrotwattanasiri
Kannika
K
Fooanant
Supranee
S
Sumitsawan
Yupa
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000485:Allergens / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology; D010361:Patients / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D012882:Skin Tests; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D055815:Young Adult
D000485:Allergens