Clinical significance and evaluation of polysensitisation using skin sensitisation profiling in atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic allergic inflammatory disease characterised by late eczematous lesions and allergenic sensitisation that occur. Skin prick testing has been used for the causative investigation of individual allergens. However, there exists no proper tool to evaluate polysensitisation status. In this study, skin sensitisation indices were suggested, and the clinical significance of polysensitisation was evaluated.

METHODS

A total of 188 AD patients were involved in this study. Blood tests including blood eosinophil % and serum total IgE were conducted. Skin prick tests for 50 important allergens were performed. The skin sensitisation index (SSI) was compared with the blood eosinophil % and the serum total IgE.

RESULTS

The degree of sensitisation may be related to the serum total IgE rather than the number of allergens to which a patient is sensitised. The skin sensitisation profile was associated with IgE-related laboratory results but not with clinical activity or blood eosinophil %.

CONCLUSIONS

For the evaluation of polysensitisation, skin sensitisation profiles may be needed and the skin sensitisation profile was useful for the description of polysensitisation. Polysensitisation seems to be one mechanism for the elevation of serum total IgE. Further studies may be needed to ascertain the clinical significance of skin polysensitisation and the application of the skin sensitisation profile in clinical use.