RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Sensitization to Common Allergens in Adults with Asthma
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 434
OP 439
DO 10.3122/jabfm.18.5.434
VO 18
IS 5
A1 Felicia Allen-Ramey
A1 William F. Schoenwetter
A1 Thomas W. Weiss
A1 David Westerman
A1 Nasira Majid
A1 Leona E. Markson
YR 2005
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/18/5/434.abstract
AB Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of atopy (ie, allergen sensitization) in a sample of adult asthma outpatients.Methods: Population consisted of a total of 218 patients, 18 to 55 years of age, who were currently receiving care for asthma; and 13 physicians, whose specialties were Family Practice, Allergy, or Pulmonology and who were providing care to at least 10 to 15 asthma patients weekly. Patients provided a blood sample for quantification of total and allergen-specific IgE. Outcomes were the proportion of patients with atopy and the proportions of patients with elevated serum IgE specific to each of 8 specific common allergens.Results: The patients’ mean age was 42 years, and 74% were women; 68% of patients met the study definition of atopy. Total serum IgE ≥ 114 kU/L was observed in 48% of patients, and 59% had elevated levels of IgE specific to one or more of 8 common allergens.Conclusions: The majority of adult asthma outpatients had evidence of atopy and most were sensitive to a specific identifiable allergen. Awareness of the high prevalence of atopy among asthma patients might improve patient management.