Diagnosis of Reaginic Allergy with House Dust, Animal Dander and Pollen Allergens in Adult Patients III.

Abstract

Case histories alone and combined with the results of skin tests and/or the RAST [using allergens from house dust, dog, horse, cat and cow, and pollen from timothy, common reed, marguerite, mugwort, dandelion, birch, alder, hazel, oak, elm and beech] were compared with the results of provocation tests in 397 patients with asthma or allergi rhinitis. Case histories often were doubtful. The agreement between negative histories and negative provocation tests was 77%, and that between positive histories and positive provocation tests, 64%. When case histories were supported by concordant skin test or RAST results, the agreement with provocation tests increased to about 90%. When a scoring system for the combinations of different diagnostic methods was employed, a 100% agreement with provocation tests was obtained for cases with high scores. By using the case history in conjunction with RAST and/or skin test results, a reliable diagnosis can be achieved, eliminating the necessity of provocation tests.