title: Comparison of serum specific IgE with skin prick test in the diagnosis of allergy in Malaysia.
abstract: We compared a newer serum specific IgE (SSIgE) test with skin prick testing (SPT) in the diagnosis of allergy in Malaysia. Ninety newly diagnosed allergic patients were enrolled for both tests. Using SPT as a clinical gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) were calculated for SSIgE for each of the common allergens tested. The highest positive results for both SPT and SSIgE were for house dust mite and cat. Compared to SPT, SSIgE showed better sensitivity but poorer specificity, low PPV and good NPV in all the allergens tested. Significant positive correlation was seen between the diameter of wheal and flare of SPT and the SSIgE results.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Hospital, 25100 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. zamzilamin@yahoo.com
authors: Z A
authors: ZA
authors: Asha'ari
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Suhaimi
authors: R A
authors: RA
authors: Yusof
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Rushdan
authors: C H C
authors: CH
authors: Maraina
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012882:Skin Tests; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E