The relationship between symptoms and the results of the skin prick test in patients with allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Aim: To determine the relationship between skin prick test results and allergic symptoms and to discover which symptom or symptoms are more commonly associated with the skin prick test. Materials and methods: Of the 1462 patients with a prediagnosis of allergic rhinitis (AR) who underwent the skin prick test, 495 subjects completed the symptoms inquiry form and were included in the study. Results: Out of 495 cases, the skin prick test was found to be positive in 358 and negative in 137. No significant relationship was found between sneezing, runny nose, itchy nose, nasal obstruction, headache, postnasal drip, and skin prick test positivity (P > 0.05). There was a significant relationship between ocular complaints (watering, itching, discharge) and skin prick test results (P = 0.027). The groups with positive and negative skin prick test results were compared in terms of symptom severity. While the difference between itchy nose and ocular symptoms was found to be significant, this difference was not significant in terms of nasal obstruction, postnasal drip, and sneezing. Conclusion: While no significant relationship was found between symptoms accepted as allergic, such as sneezing and itchy nose, symptoms such as eye itching and watering were found to be related to allergy. We recommend performing the skin prick test routinely on patients presenting with AR symptoms. This would also prevent unnecessary antihistamine use.