[Nasal allergen provocation test, allergic skin tests and serum allergen-specific IgE level in asthmatic children].

Introduction: The important element in the asthma diagnosis is a confirmation of trigger's asthma symptoms allergens.
Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate diagnostic value of an allergic skin prick test and serum allergen-specific IgE level with reference to nasal allergen provocation test (NPT) results in asthmatic children.
Material and Methods: Study was performed in 80 asthmatic children in 3-14 yrs aged. 118 NPTs accompanied by assessments of nasal airflow by rhinospirography, were done. In all subjects, allergic skin prick tests with mites and grasses or trees pollen allergens and serum allergen specific IgE levels with the allergen used in NPT were done.
Results: Concordance between SPT and TPN results was shown in 59% cases, most often in group with pollen than mites provocation. SPT's sensitivity and specificity in relation to TPN result was 71% and 53%, respectively. Concordance between asIgE level and TPN results was shown in 76% cases. asIgE results sensitivity and specificity in relation to TPN result was 71% and 82%, respectively.
Conclusion: The usefulness of skin prick test results in allergologic diagnosis of asthma is lesser than serum allergen specific IgE determination, especially in patients with house dust mites allergens hypersensitivity. Nasal provocation test (NPT) with suspected allergen should be performed in asthmatic children with a negative or doubtful skin prick test or serum allergen specific IgE level results.