Hypersensitivity to Aeroallergens in Patients with Nasobronchial Allergy

BACKGROUND: Aeroallergens are the most common causes of allergy. AIM: The aim of this study was to determine hypersensitivity to aeroallergens in patients with nasobronchial allergy. METHODS: This retrospective population study included 2254 patients with nasobronchial allergy, from late adolescents to adults. Their response to aeroallergens was assessed by skin prick tests. RESULTS: More patients had rhinitis (72.7%), than asthma (27.6%). Although majority of patients were female, allergy is more common in men than in women (p<0.05). Both groups of patients had the greatest number of positive skin prick tests for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (27.5%) and weed pollens (21.9%), followed by grass (18.3%) and tree pollens (10.1%). Ragweed is the most common positive weed pollen in both groups, more in patients with rhinitis (p=0.022). The cocksfoot is the most common grass pollen in rhinitis group (15.3%), but meadow grass (12.6%) in asthma patients. Birch is the most common tree allergen in the both groups. CONCLUSIONS: More patients with nasobronchial allergy have rhinitis than asthma. Skin prick tests are usually positive for Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and weed pollens, followed by grass and tree pollens, and they are more common positive in patients with rhinitis than asthma.