Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine the profile of allergen sensitization in patients presenting with pulmonary symptoms.

Patients and Methods: Skin test results of 196 patients (136 females, 60 males; mean age 34.7±11.7 years) presenting with pulmonary complaints between October 1999 and April 2005; total IgE results and allergy information forms were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: Median value of IgE was (%25-75) 202 U/ml (118-530) in the patients enrolled. The most frequent symptom was shortness of breath (65.3%), and the second was cough (63.8%). These symptoms aggravated while patients were dusting. Sensitivity to at least one allergen was observed in 59.7% of the patients. Sensitivity to a single allergen was present in 18.9% and to multiple allergens in 40.8% of all patients. The most frequent allergy was determined to house dust mite (39.8%) and was followed by allergy to tree pollens (26%). Sensitivity rate to D. Farinea was 33.7% and 32.7% to D. Pteronyssinus.

Conclusion: House dust mite were the primary causes of sensitization in patients presenting with allergic symptoms in the Thrace region. The fact that the symptoms aggravated in 46.9% of the patients while they were dusting at home, seemed to support this finding.