Goh KJ, et al. – The prevalence of specific allergen sensitization patterns was examined, as well as, their association with outcomes in a severe asthma cohort in an Asian setting was gauged. Results indicated high allergen, specifically Aspergillus sensitization in the Asian population with severe asthma by skin prick test (SPT). This study revealed a specific association between Aspergillus sensitization and frequent exacerbations as well as greater corticosteroid requirement.

Methods

• A cross-sectional study of patients receiving step 4 or 5 Global Initiative for Asthma treatment, was performed.
• In order to assess the association between sensitization to a specific identifiable allergen by skin prick test (SPT) and uncontrolled asthma, univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

Results

• The clinicians appraised two hundred and six severe asthma patients (mean age 45±17 years, 99 [48.1%] male).
• 78.2% had a positive SPT to one or more allergens, among them.
• House dust mites (Blomia tropicalis, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae) were the most common allergen to which patients were sensitized.
• It was reported that 11.7% were sensitized to Aspergillus species.
• An association was found between Aspergillus sensitization and uncontrolled asthma (odds ratio 6.07, 95% confidence interval 1.80–20.51).
• In particular, an independent association was observed between Aspergillus sensitization and the use of ≥2 steroid bursts in the past year (odds ratio 3.05, 95% confidence interval 1.04–8.95).
• There were no similar associations of uncontrolled asthma with sensitization to any other allergens.