Allergy Profile of Patients Visiting a Tertiary Care Hospital in Hilly Areas of Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India

摘要

Allergic diseases are common and affect a large population worldwide. Not many studies are available regarding the same and almost none in our Solan district.Aim: The aim of present study was to assess the prevalence of allergies in this region, the major symptoms involved, the major allergens causing them and their association with vitamin D insufficiency.Materials and Methods: Total 159 patients in allergic group were evaluated for age and sex distribution, common symptoms involved, spirometry, nasal endoscopy findings and the common allergens responsible. They were compared with 148 patients in the control group for utility of Skin Prick Tests (SPT), Total IgE levels and to study the impact of vitamin D insufficiency on the disease.Results: Allergies were common in younger age group of 21 to 40 years of age (n=61%) and in females the most common complaints were nasal (n=63%) and the most common allergens involved were dust mite mix, cockroach and pine mix in this region. Majority of the patients had obstructive disease with reversibility suggestive of asthma and most common nasal finding is Bilateral Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy (65%). SPT are more sensitive and specific as compared to total IgE levels. There is good association between allergic diseases and Vitamin D insufficiency (odds ratio 3.4).Conclusion: Present study focussed on the nature of allergens among allergic patients in the Solan district and found SPT to be the most reliable and vitamin D insufficiency to be one of the factors for allergies.