Relationship between total serum immunoglobulin E level and total eosinophils count with skin reactivity in children with allergic rhinitis and asthma in North Indian population

Abstract

CONTEXT: Various epidemiological studies have shown association among total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, blood eosinophilia, skin test reactivity, and allergy prevalence, the details of these associations has still not well determined specially in the Indian population. AIMS: The aim of this study is to determine the correlation between total serum IgE level, total eosinophils counts (TECs), and skin prick test (SPT) for common aeroallergens in children with allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A prospective, cross sectional, and observational study conducted at Santokba Durlabhji Memorial Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, between October 2018 and June 2019. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 140 children of age 6–18 years diagnosed with AR and Asthma were enrolled. SPT using 18 aeroallergens were performed with the measurement of total serum IgE level and TEC. RESULTS: Among the total cases, around 77% (n = 108) were having positive skin test for one or more allergens, most common allergen was house dust mite. Total serum IgE level was strongly related with skin reactivity in both AR and asthma groups (correlation coefficient = 0.68), and a fair correlation was also observed between TEC and SPT grade in our all study participants (r = 0.48). CONCLUSION: Our study suggested a close relationship between total serum IgE and TEC and skin test reactivity in children with AR and asthma.