Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the relationship between the results of skin prick test (SPT) and seasonal distribution in patients with preliminary diagnosis or differential diagnosis of allergic rhinitis (AR).

METHODS: Between January 2012 and January 2014, a total of 446 patients (133 males, 313 females; mean age 33.2±11.8 years; range 17 to 65 years) who were pre-diagnosed with AR and underwent the SPT at our clinic were included in this study. Histamine hydrochloride (10 mg/dL) was used as a positive control and 0.9% isotonic NaCl solution was used as a negative control.

RESULTS: While skin prick test was negative in 284 patients, it was positive in 162. In overall comparison, positive response was determined in the SPT most frequently against house dust mites (42.4%), grass pollens (8,5%) and sheep wool (7.2%), respectively. In the seasonal distribution of SPT results, we found sensitivity most frequently against house dust mites (43%), grass pollens (8.6%) and sheep wool (7.0%), respectively in winter; against house dust mites (42.6%), sheep wool (7.6%) and rye (5%), respectively in spring; against house dust mites (33.6%), rye (10.6%) and grass pollens (10.6%), respectively in summer; and against house dust mites (49.5%), grass pollens (11.6%) and grains (11.6%), respectively in autumn. Positive responses of the grains and Cladosporium herbarum in the SPT were significantly different in seasonal distribution.

CONCLUSION: The identification of seasonal allergen sensitivity by SPT may be a guide to regulate AR treatment.