A Study on Total Serum IgE Levels and Absolute Eosinophil Count in Allergic Rhinitis Patients

Corresponding Author:
Dechu Muddaiah,
Assistant Professor,
Department of ENT, Head Neck Surgery,
BGS Global Institute of Medical Sciences,
#67, BGS Health and Education City,
Utarahalli Main Road, Kengeri,
Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
E-mail: dechu23@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Allergic rhinitis is an IgE mediated hypersensitivity disease of the mucous membrane of nasal airway characterized by sneezing, itching, watery nasal discharge and sensation of nasal obstruction.

METHODS

The aim of the study was to evaluate the total serum IgE levels and absolute eosinophil counts in patients with allergic rhinitis, and rhinitis with asthma. In this study, 160 patients of allergic rhinitis attending ENT OPD were clinically examined and investigated with Total Serum IgE levels and absolute eosinophil counts. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software.

RESULTS

160 study subjects with signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis were investigated with total serum IgE levels and absolute eosinophil count. 46.25% were males and 53.75% were females. The patients included in the study were aged 10-60 years. Seasonal symptoms were observed in 44% of patients while perennial symptoms were experienced by 56% of the patients. As per ARIA classification, 66.3% had mild, 6.9% had moderate and 26.9% had severe allergic rhinitis. Bronchial asthma was found to be the most common comorbidity present in 13% of subjects, associated sinonasal polyps which was present in 13.8%. 71.9% had raised Total Serum IgE levels and eosinophilia was present in 59.4%. A significant relationship exists between total IgE levels and eosinophilia in patients with allergic rhinitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Allergic rhinitis is an IgE mediated inflammatory disease and raised total serum IgE levels and raised absolute eosinophil count in study subjects with clinical signs and symptoms of rhinitis are likely to correlate with allergic aetiology.

KEY WORDS

Allergic Rhinitis, Allergic Rhinitis with Asthma, Total Serum IgE levels, Absolute Eosinophil Count