The frequency of positive skin tests in children with asthma in the Tuzla Canton [Article in Bosnian]

Abstract

Objective - The study was performed to determine the frequency of positive findings from allergy skin tests of aeroallergens in children with asthma in the Tuzla Canton and to determine the frequency of positive findings in relation to the age of the patients.

Patients and methods - The study included 252 children with asthma, both sexes, aged 0-14 years who were admitted to the Department of Children’s Diseases, Tuzla in the period from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2007. With respect to age the subjects were divided into the following age groups: from 0 to 4.9, 5 to 9.9 and from 10 to 14 years, later cited as the younger, middle and older groups. Allergic skin tests to aeroallergens were performed by prick test with six aeroallergens: one individual and five group allergen

Results showed that patients with asthma often have a positive allergy skin test reaction to Dermatophygoideus pteronyssinus (63.5%) and grass pollen (37.3%). In relation to the age groups, the trend of positive findings for Dermatophagoideus pteronyssinus was statistically significant (p = 0.0063), while the statistical significance of the trend of positive findings for tree pollen was borderline (p = 0.0458). For other aeroallergens there were no statistically significant differences.

Conclusion - The most common aeroallergens to which children with asthma showed a sensitivity in our community was Dermatophagoideus pteronyssinus. It was also found that the frequency of positive skin tests for Dermatophagoideus pteronyssinus and pollen of trees increases with age.