ASIAN PACIFIC JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY (2009) 27: 19-25 An Analysis of Skin Prick Test Reactions in Allergic Rhinitis Patients in Istanbul, Turkey Sedat Aydin 1 , Umit Hardal 1 and Hakki Atli 2 SUMMARY This retrospective, population-based study reviewed skin prick test (SPT) results against various al- lergens of 1,552 patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) in the district of Kartal, Istanbul, Turkey. The skin prick tests yielded a positive result in 946 patients (60.9%). Seven hundred and forty-give (48%) patients had perennial AR, 558 (36%) perennial AR with seasonal exacerbations and 249 (16%) had seasonal AR. The prevalence of AR was highest in the age of 21-40 years with 48.7%. The allergen group with the highest SPT positivity was pollens at 44.3%, followed by molds at 38.4%, mites at 35.1%, and epithelia-insect at 30.8%. The strongest single allergen was Alternaria alternata with 33.3%, followed by Dermatophagoides farinae with 29.3%, Dermatophagoides ptero- nyssinus with 25.3% and a mix of four cereals (barley, maize, oat, wheat) with 25.2%. This information will help etio- logical research as well as the development of more efficient treatment plans for patients with allergic rhinitis in our country. From the 1 Kartal Education and Research Hospital, II, ENT De- partment, Istanbul, Turkey, 2 Department of Health Management, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey. Correspondence: Sedat Aydin E-mail: sedataydin63@yahoo.com Allergic Rhinitis (AR) is the most common form of rhinitis and is characterized by a symptom complex that consists of any combination of the fol- lowing: sneezing, nasal congestion, nasal itching, and rhinorrhea. The onset of AR is usually in child- hood, adolescence, or during early adult years. The causes of AR vary depending on whether the symp- toms are seasonal or perennial. Seasonal AR is commonly caused by seasonal pollens and outdoor molds. Perennial AR is typically caused by allergens within the home but can also be caused by outdoor allergens that are present all year around. 1 Testing for specific allergens can be helpful to confirm the diagnosis of AR and to determine specific allergic triggers. If such specific triggers are known, appropriate measures can be recom-mended. Allergy testing can be performed in one of three ways; muco- sal challenge testing, skin testing and in vitro testing. Epicutaneous (prick or puncture) or intracutaneous (intradermal) applications of potential allergens are clinically useful methods of allergy testing. With any of these methods, an allergen-specific response can be qualitatively or quantitatively measured. Skin prick (SP) testing (single or multiple pricks) is widely used, relatively safe, well controlled, and has a long track record. SP testing is commonly used as a screening tool by otolaryngologists and general allergists. It re- quires few supplies and has become relatively stan- dardized in its application, although there is some variation in the interpretation. 2