Retrospective Analysis of Allergy Skin Testing Results and Relationship to Chronic Sinusitis in the Tucson Adult Population

Rationale: Tucson, Arizona is located in the Sonoran Desert, which has the highest diversity of vegetation of any desert in the world and is distinguished from many other areas due to long overlapping pollen seasons. Given the unique aeroallergen profile in this region, we sought to identify the most common aeroallergens differentiating perennial allergic rhinitis from chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in the local adult population.

Methods: We conducted retrospective electronic chart review of 84 consecutive adult patients who underwent aeroallergen skin prick testing for CRS symptoms at the Banner University Medical Center Adult Allergy and Immunology Clinic over the course of one year. All subjects were tested to a standard panel of tree, grass and weed pollen, mold, dust mite, animal dander, cockroach and feather extracts. CRS was diagnosed by consensus guidelines. Atopy was defined as ≥1 positive skin test. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.

Results: Of the 84 patients with CRS symptoms, 50 (63%) had objective evidence of CRS on endoscopy or sinus imaging. Atopy was present in 82% of those patients and 74% of those without objective evidence of CRS. Compared with confirmed CRS patients, those lacking objective evidence of CRS were more often sensitized to perennial aeroallergens (OR 3.13 (CI 1.26-7.74)) including molds, cat, dog, cockroach, dust mite, and feather. No differences were seen in rates of sensitization to the seasonal pollens.

Conclusions: Atopy is common in chronic rhinosinusitis. Perennial aeroallergens may cause symptoms similar to CRS. Objective testing is necessary to differentiate CRS from perennial allergic rhinitis.