Characterization of Patients with Low Ige Levels

Rationale:

IgE plays an essential role in type I hypersensitivity reactions, chronic urticaria, and eczema.  IgE levels are often elevated in those conditions, however the significance of lower levels is not certain. 

Methods:

A retrospective chart review of patients referred to the VA Greater Los Angeles Allergy Clinic with available IgE levels.  Chi-square test was used to examine potential differences in patient characteristics by IgE levels.  Analyses were performed using SPSS.

Results:

209 charts were reviewed and patients were categorized into two groups: IgE values < 2 and > 10.  Patient characteristics included gender, race, atopy testing (aeroallergen skin testing or serum specific IgE), autoimmune disease, and military service era. Male gender was more associated with IgE levels less than 2 and females with levels greater than 10.  Caucasians were more likely to have levels less than 2 while African American were more likely to have levels greater than 10.  With allergy testing, there was a trend toward positive results in the > 10 IgE group and negative in the < 2 category.  No correlation between IgE levels and autoimmune disease was seen.  Finally, Vietnam War era veterans were more likely to have levels less than 2 compared to Persian Gulf/Iraq/Afghanistan with levels greater than 10.

Conclusions:

IgE levels < 2 are associated with males and Caucasians while levels > 10 are more likely in females and African Americans.  Additionally, IgE levels < 2 are more often found in Vietnam War era veterans compared to Persian Gulf/Iraq/Afghanistan veterans with levels > 10.