Krissanaporn Jirawarakul¹

Background: Diagnosis of allergic rhinitis relies on a comprehensive approach, including patient history and physical examination. Additionally, a skin prick test can aid in guiding patients towards effective allergen avoidance strategies and treatment plans.

Objective: To identify the most common aeroallergen sensitizations among allergic rhinitis patients in Yala Hospital and to compare patient characteristics, such as symptom severity or frequency between the skin prick test-positive and negative groups.

Materials and Methods: The present study was a retrospective analytic study. The data were collected from medical records of all chronic rhinitis patients who underwent skin prick test at Yala Hospital between April 1, 2023 and October 31, 2024. Unpaired t-test, chi-square test, and odds ratio were used, with a significance level of 5% (p of less than 0.05).

Results: One hundred forty-four chronic rhinitis patients underwent skin prick test. Mean ages was 25±16.6 years. Ninety-one patients (63.2%) had positive test and fifty-three patients (36.8%) had negative test. House dust mites were the most aeroallergens sensitized, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus 93.4% and Dermatophagoides farinae 84.6%, followed by cockroach 33%, cat hair 17.6%, dog hair 1.1%, and Cladosporidium 1.1%. There was no careless weed and para-grass sensitization. There was an association between the frequency of symptom and the result of skin prick test (p<0.001). Patients with persistent symptoms were 6.72 times more likely to exhibit a positive skin prick test compared to those with intermittent symptoms. No significant association was observed between the severity of symptoms and the results of the skin prick test (p=0.145).

Conclusion: The present study found house dust mites to be the most prevalent aeroallergen sensitization among allergic rhinitis patients at Yala Hospital. Patients presenting with persistent symptoms were significantly more likely to exhibit a positive skin prick test compared to those with intermittent symptoms. Consequently, for patients with chronic rhinitis who experience intermittent symptoms, a skin prick test may not be necessary to save healthcare costs. However, for patients with chronic rhinitis and persistent symptoms who have not responded to treatment, a skin prick test is recommended. This is because the likelihood of a positive skin prick test is higher in this group, allowing for targeted allergen avoidance strategies and potential allergen immunotherapy.

Received 25 June 2024 | Revised 5 November 2024 | Accepted 18 November 2024

DOI: 10.35755/jmedassocthai.2025.1.25-29-01298