[Evaluation of skin prick tests and serum concentration of antigen-specific immunoglobulin E in patients with atopic dermatitis sensitive to airborne allergens in relation to the type of allergens and age of patients].

UNLABELLED: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease associated with sensitivity to common airborne allergens. The aim of the study was to evaluate the immediate type of immunological reaction initiated by main types of airborne allergens in the pathomechanism of atopic dermatitis in relation to the age of patients.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

529 patients with AD aged (0.5-60 years) who fulfilled basic Hanifin and Rajka criteria and 60 healthy volunteers in the control group were investigated. In order to IgE-mediated allergy to common airborne allergens skin prick tests (SPT) were performed (26 airborne allergens) and concentration of serum antigen specific IgE (asIgE) was measured.

RESULTS

Our results indicated increasing prevalence to sensitisation to airborne allergens in patients with AD in relation to the age of these patients (age 0.5-4--17 cases; 5-12 years--127 cases; 13-18 years--88 cases; above 18 of age--173 cases). The sensitisation to grass pollen and house dust mite allergens was predominant.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude, that predominance to sensitization to airborne allergens tends to increase with the age of patients.