Aeroallergen Sensitization Patterns in Patients with Allergic Respiratory Diseases at a Single Center in Peshawar, Pakistan: Retrospective Analysis Including Patients from Neighboring Afghanistan
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37762/jgmds.13-2.796Keywords:
Allergic Respiratory Diseases, Aeroallergen Sensitization, House Dust Mite, Skin Prick Test, Peshawar, Afghanistan, PolysensitizationAbstract
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES
To investigate the prevalence and patterns of aero-allergen sensitization in patients assessed for allergic respiratory diseases, referred to a tertiary care center in Peshawar, Pakistan, including patients from neighbouring Afghanistan.
METHODOLOGY
This retrospective observational study reviewed the results of 452 skin prick tests (SPTs) performed as part of routine assessment between January 2017 and December 2022 at the Rehman Medical Institute. The sensitization response to 13 types of inhalant allergens (both seasonal and perennial) was documented. Using a multivariate logistic regression model, associations with age, gender, and region of origin were investigated, reporting the adjusted odds ratio(OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI).
RESULTS
Four hundred and fifty-two (452) patients were studied; 362 (80.1%) had at least one positive skin prick test result and were therefore included in the analysis. HDM was the most common allergen identified (62.7%), followed by mouse (40.9%) and cockroach (40.3%). Mulberry (17.1%), silver birch (16.0%), and grass mix (13.5%) were the leading seasonal allergens. Polysensitisation was demonstrated in 66.6% of the patients studied. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that age was inversely related to sensitization to weeds (OR=0.97, CI 0.94-0.99, p=0.03), mixed feather (OR=0.97, CI 0.95-1.00, p=0.04), and cockroach allergens (OR=0.98, CI 0.97-0.99, p=0.038). No other associations with demographic or regional factors reached statistical significance.
CONCLUSION
HDM is the major allergen causing sensitization among patients with allergic respiratory disease in this clinical group, and has a high level of Polysensitisation. The observed differences in association with gender and age highlight the need for region-specific diagnostic panels and caution when interpreting statistically borderline associations.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Saima Alam , Wajeeha Qayyum, Nabeel Khan, Suleman Ali Khan
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