Seasonal variation of allergy profile of patients visiting a tertiary care hospital in hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

Background: Allergic diseases are very common and are caused by allergen whose role varies according to climate changes. Not many studies are available regarding the same in our region. Skin prick test is a diagnostic procedure for allergy testing. The aim of the present study was to find out the seasonal variation of different allergies in our region.Methods: A total of 686 patients with allergic complaints were assessed for age and sex distribution, seasonal variation of number of allergy patients and seasonal variation of patient symptoms. 608 patients who gave consent and were found fit for skin prick tests underwent the tests and were analysed for allergy profile of the patients in different seasons.Results: The majority of patients were females and of younger age group. The majority of the patients had nasal symptoms and these symptoms were more in summer and rainy season during which pine mix and grass pollen were common allergens. Pulmonary symptoms were maximum in winters with dust mite and moulds being the common allergens. Dust mite was overall the most common allergen involved. Sensitization to allergens was less in winter months.Conclusions: This study focussed on seasonal variation of allergies and found pine mix and grass pollens to be major cause of nasal allergy and dust mite and mould mix to mainly cause pulmonary symptoms.

Agreement of the Point of Care Test (POCT) Boditech iCHROMA™ Covid-19 IgG Antibody Assay with the Abbott Architect SARSCoV- 2 IgG Antibody Assay

“…Similar findings were noted in two Indian studies and a study conducted in western Iran [8,11,12]. The positive aspects of the domains of PRQLQ across age groups revealed mild affection.…”

“…Asthma was the most common comorbidity observed in our study. A similar observation was reported which revealed that AR and Asthma control were directly proportional to each other [12]. Another interesting study showed AR findings in 58% of asthmatic children; however no association was established with asthma severity [13].…”

A study of skin prick test to identify common allergens in allergic rhinitis patients in and around Saharanpur

“…SPT is highly sensitive, specific, simple, inexpensive and reproducible investigation for diagnosis of allergic diseases. 6 The purpose of the study was to determine and characterize common allergens using SPT in patients of allergic rhinitis in a tertiary centre and hospitals of Saharanpur, India. The most common allergens found in our study were pollen (80%), dust (70%), mite(52%), insects(50%), fungi(48%) and epithelial antigen(20%).overall, pollen of Parthenium (70%) followed by house dust(64%) were found to be the most common offending allergens.…”

Indian Guidelines for Diagnosis of Respiratory Allergy

“…196 Sensitization Pattern. According to Nanda and Devi 197 , there is a pattern of sensitization to the allergens according to the seasons, as dust mite sensitization is maximum during winter months and rainy season and minimum during summer months. In contrast, pine mix sensitization is maximum during months of March to June.…”

“…Additionally, the sensitization to allergens is most common in summer months as compared to winters. 197 Regarding seasonal variation, the maximum number of patients, sensitized is in summer months. In winters, many of the patients are of non-allergic rhinitis with the most common trigger being the cold climate.…”