MRAST to Quantify Allergy and Initiate Immunotherapy

Abstract

Objective Aim to quantify mRAST by comparing it with skin testing (SPT and MQT) among patients with clinically diagnosed AR for both diagnosis of inhalant allergy and initiation of immunotherapy. Methods A prospective randomized controlled study was designed to recruit patients with allergic rhinitis selected for screening for the initiation of immunotherapy from our outpatient clinic. Multi-testTM skin prick testing (SPT), modified quantitative testing (MQT) and blood taken for mRAST was performed on all recruited subjected at the same setting. SPT, MQT and mRAST grading of common allergens were tested for their correlations. Results 21 patients (12 male, 9 female) were recruited between May 2006 and Dec 2007. After comparing results from all 3 tests, 262 sets of allergens were available for analysis. We found that there was significant correlation between SPT and mRAST results (r=0.504, p<0.01). Similarly mRAST grading also correlated significantly with MQT grading ((r=0.51, p<0.01). Conclusions With good correlations between mRAST grading and MQT grading, in vitro testing could be the preferred mode of quantification for vial preparation during initiaition of immunotherapy. Patient would experience less pain and had no anaphylaxis risk. Both initiation and follow-up of patient undergoing immunotherapy would be easier.