Skin prick test reactivity to aeroallergens in adult allergy clinic in Thailand: a 12-year retrospective study

BACKGROUND: The global prevalence of allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis has risen significantly over the last 2 decades. Allergic sensitization to aeroallergen is a major risk factor in developing the allergic disease. The prevalence of aeroallergen sensitization varies in different regions and countries. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of common aeroallergen sensitization and the atopic status among adult patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional, retrospective study. The data were collected from medical records and database of the result of skin prick test of patients who had the allergic symptoms or chronic urticaria in adult allergy clinic, Ramathibodi hospital from January 2004 to December 2015. RESULTS: A total of 1,516 of patients (female, 1,118 [73.7%]) were enrolled. The mean ages of participants were 41.34 (standard deviation, ±16.5) years. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of patients were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis, 19.7%, 3.2%, and 9.2% with asthma, atopic dermatitis, and chronic urticaria respectively. In the chronic urticaria group, 57.4% underwent the positive skin prick test to common aeroallergens. Mites were responsible for the most common inhaled allergen sensitization in this study as 50.1% of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, 32% of Dermatophagoides farinae, and 31.5% of house dust. Cockroach was the second most common aeroallergen sensitization as 32.3% followed by grass pollen, Bermuda (21.1%) and timothy (13.6%). The animal dander, cat and dog, occupied 12.9 and 10% respectively. CONCLUSION: Mites were the most common cause of aeroallergen sensitization in all patients followed by cockroach, grass pollen, and animal dander. However, Bermuda sensitization has increased significantly in the last 6 years.