Nasal allergen provocation with Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in patients with chronic rhinitis referred to a rhinologic surgical center.

Background Skin tests and specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E determinations identify the presence of some immune response to allergens, but frequently do not correlate to allergic disease in vivo. Objective To compare clinical history, skin tests and specific IgE determinations with the results of nasal provocation tests (NPT) to confirm clinically relevant allergy to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP) in patients with chronic rhinitis referred to a rhinologic surgical center. Methods Clinical data of 2,194 patients with chronic nasal disorders treated at two rhinologic referral centers between 1992 and 1998 were evaluated. Clinical allergy work-up was routinely performed corresponding to Germa…