Aeroallergen sensitization patterns and their impact on lung function in adult asthma from a tertiary care centre in Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and patterns of aeroallergen sensitisation in steroid-naïve, newly diagnosed adult patients with bronchial asthma using skin prick test (SPT), and to examine its association with lung function parameters measured by oscillometry and spirometry. Methods: Consecutive adult patients with bronchial asthma who were naïve to systemic and inhaled corticosteroids were recruited. Following a detailed clinical history and blood investigations, lung function was assessed using oscillometry and spirometry. SPT was performed using a panel of 13 aeroallergens in accordance with established guidelines. Based on SPT results, patients were stratified into two groups: atopic asthma (sensitisation to ≥1 allergen) and non-atopic asthma (no sensitisation). Demographic characteristics, blood parameters, and lung function parameters were compared between the two groups. Results: Of 257 patients screened, 205 were enrolled (59% men; mean age 36.9 years). Allergic rhinitis was present in 58% of patients, and 69.8% had atopic asthma (95% CI 62.9–75.6). Sensitisation was most common to house dust mites (47.8%), followed by cockroach (37.6%) and weed pollen (29.8%). Atopy was more prevalent in men than in women and was associated with higher serum total IgE levels. Peripheral blood eosinophil counts, oscillometric parameters, severity of airflow obstruction, and bronchodilator responses did not differ significantly between atopic and non-atopic patients. Conclusions: The majority of asthma patients exhibited sensitisation to one or more aeroallergens. Despite differences in immunopathogenesis, no significant differences in oscillometric parameters were observed between atopic and non-atopic asthma, suggesting that atopic status has a limited influence on the severity of small airway dysfunction.

Keywords

aeroallergens / atopic asthma / oscillometry / spirometry / sensitization / skin prick test

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