Presentation: Clinical and laboratory characteristics of nasal obstruction dominant allergic sensitization ( World Allergy Congress)

Wednesday, 14 October 2015

Hall D1 Foyer (Floor 3) (Coex Convention Center)

Seung-No Hong, MD , Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea

Chae-Seo Rhee, MD, PhD , Otorhinolaryngology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, South Korea

Doo Hee Han , Otorhinolaryngology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is defined clinically by the symptoms including nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, nasal itching, sneezing with a positive allergen sensitivity test. However a positive skin prick test (SPT) does not always imply the occurrence of clinical symptoms. If an asymptomatic allergen sensitized patient is accompanied with septal deviation (DSN) which could cause nasal obstruction, it can be easily confused with a typical symptomatic allergic rhinitis patient

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of nasal obstruction dominant allergic sensitizers (NODS) based on an allergic rhinitis cohort study

Methods: Patients from a nationwide allergic rhinitis cohort study (ARCO) which was conducted by 8 university hospitals were investigated. Allergic rhinitis was diagnosed when there were at least one rhinitis symptoms with a positive SPT result. The NODS group included patients who had severe nasal obstruction with less other symptoms and positive skin prick test with septal deviation. Clinical and laboratory characteristics were compared between the NODS group and the typical allergic sensitization group

Results: Total 695 patients were included. The average age was 32.6 and 68% of the patients had septal deviation. Laboratory test results reveal that the eosinophil level was lower in NODS group while total IgE level did not show any difference. SPT analysis showed that House dust mite was less sensitized to NODS patients. There was significant sex difference that the male to female ratio was higher in the NODS group. However, no statistically significant difference was found by age, family history and BMI

Conclusion: Asymptomatic allergen sensitized people with septal deviation can mimic allergic rhinitis. When we met the allergen sensitized people with nasal obstruction predominantly, septal deviation should be considered before diagnosis of allergic rhinitis.

1169 Clinical and laboratory characteristics of nasal obstruction dominant allergic sensitization