RELATIONSHIP AMONG ASTHMA, SERUM IGE LEVELS AND SKIN-TEST SENSITIVITYTO INHALED ALLERGENS

In two groups of subjects, we have shown that increased high total ser um IgE levels (with and without age and sex correction) are significan tly associated with the asthmatic phenotype, as diagnosed by a physici an. This association was confirmed by discriminant analyses; as compar ed to variables such as specific sensitivity to allergens and smoking history, age- and sex-corrected log[total serum IgE] was the best pred ictor of the status of physician-diagnosed asthma in these subjects. A dditionally, we observed significantly increased skin test sensitivity to house dust allergens in asthmatics. These findings support previou s studies showing that high total serum IgE levels and IgE-mediated se nsitivity to house dust allergens are associated with the presence of asthma.