title: [Analysis of allergens characteristic in 4637 patients with allergic rhinitis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the distribution of allergens in patients with allergic rhinitis during the past 5 years in Shanghai area, and provide clinical reference for management strategies with regional character.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with symptoms of allergic rhinitis were given skin prick test (SPT) from June 2005 to May 2010. Among the patients, the distribution of all allergens was analyzed. The positive rate was compared with age, gender, season, and so on.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 4637 individuals, the total positive rate of SPT was 62.84%. Dust mites were identified as the mostly responsible allergens. There was significant difference of variation with seasons (χ2=93.581, P<0.01), the highest rate was found in autumn and the lowest was found in spring. There was significant difference of the positive rate in different months (χ2=112.001, P<0.01), the most in October. There was a negative correlation between the positive rate and age (r=-0.792, P<0.01). The response intensity to dust mite allergy was decreased with age increased (P<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dust mites were identified as the most common allergens among patients with allergic rhinitis during the past 5 years in Shanghai area. The younger group had the tendency of higher positive rate and response intensity than the elder. The positive rates of dust mites varied with different seasons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Sixth People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200233, China.
authors.forename: Hua-ming
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Yu-jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Wei-tian
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Kai-ming
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Hai-bo
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Shi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000276:immunology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology*; D012621:Seasons; D012882:Skin Tests; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens