Diagnostic Utility of Total IgE in Foods, Inhalant, and Multiple Allergies in Saudi Arabia

Objective. To assess the diagnostic significance of total IgE in foods, inhalant, and multiple allergies. Methods. Retrospective review of the laboratory records of patients who presented with clinical suspicion of food or inhalant allergy between January 2013 and December 2014. Total IgE level was...

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Main Author: Jamil A. Al-Mughales
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2016-01-01
Series:Journal of Immunology Research
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/1058632
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author Jamil A. Al-Mughales
author_facet Jamil A. Al-Mughales
author_sort Jamil A. Al-Mughales
collection DOAJ
description Objective. To assess the diagnostic significance of total IgE in foods, inhalant, and multiple allergies. Methods. Retrospective review of the laboratory records of patients who presented with clinical suspicion of food or inhalant allergy between January 2013 and December 2014. Total IgE level was defined as positive for a value >195 kU/L; and diagnosis was confirmed by the detection of specific IgE (golden standard) for at least one food or inhalant allergen and at least two allergens in multiple allergies. Results. A total of 1893 (male ratio = 0.68, mean age = 39.0 ± 19.2 years) patients were included. Total IgE had comparable sensitivity (55.8% versus 59.6%) and specificity (83.9% versus 84.4%) in food versus inhalant allergy, respectively, but a superior PPV in inhalant allergy (79.1% versus 54.4%). ROC curve analysis showed a better diagnostic value in inhalant allergies (AUC = 0.817 (95% CI = 0.796–0.837) versus 0.770 (95% CI = 0.707–0.833)). In multiple allergies, total IgE had a relatively good sensitivity (78.6%), while negative IgE testing (<195 kU/L) predicted the absence of multiple allergies with 91.5% certitude. Conclusion. Total IgE assay is not efficient as a diagnostic test for foods, inhalant, or multiple allergies. The best strategy should refer to specific IgE testing guided by a comprehensive atopic history.
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spelling doaj-art-85b5a9f4d6964fcb96c522599e4c46af2025-08-20T02:08:57ZengWileyJournal of Immunology Research2314-88612314-71562016-01-01201610.1155/2016/10586321058632Diagnostic Utility of Total IgE in Foods, Inhalant, and Multiple Allergies in Saudi ArabiaJamil A. Al-Mughales0Diagnostic Immunology Division, Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, P.O. Box 80215, Jeddah 21589, Saudi ArabiaObjective. To assess the diagnostic significance of total IgE in foods, inhalant, and multiple allergies. Methods. Retrospective review of the laboratory records of patients who presented with clinical suspicion of food or inhalant allergy between January 2013 and December 2014. Total IgE level was defined as positive for a value >195 kU/L; and diagnosis was confirmed by the detection of specific IgE (golden standard) for at least one food or inhalant allergen and at least two allergens in multiple allergies. Results. A total of 1893 (male ratio = 0.68, mean age = 39.0 ± 19.2 years) patients were included. Total IgE had comparable sensitivity (55.8% versus 59.6%) and specificity (83.9% versus 84.4%) in food versus inhalant allergy, respectively, but a superior PPV in inhalant allergy (79.1% versus 54.4%). ROC curve analysis showed a better diagnostic value in inhalant allergies (AUC = 0.817 (95% CI = 0.796–0.837) versus 0.770 (95% CI = 0.707–0.833)). In multiple allergies, total IgE had a relatively good sensitivity (78.6%), while negative IgE testing (<195 kU/L) predicted the absence of multiple allergies with 91.5% certitude. Conclusion. Total IgE assay is not efficient as a diagnostic test for foods, inhalant, or multiple allergies. The best strategy should refer to specific IgE testing guided by a comprehensive atopic history.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/1058632
spellingShingle Jamil A. Al-Mughales
Diagnostic Utility of Total IgE in Foods, Inhalant, and Multiple Allergies in Saudi Arabia
Journal of Immunology Research
title Diagnostic Utility of Total IgE in Foods, Inhalant, and Multiple Allergies in Saudi Arabia
title_full Diagnostic Utility of Total IgE in Foods, Inhalant, and Multiple Allergies in Saudi Arabia
title_fullStr Diagnostic Utility of Total IgE in Foods, Inhalant, and Multiple Allergies in Saudi Arabia
title_full_unstemmed Diagnostic Utility of Total IgE in Foods, Inhalant, and Multiple Allergies in Saudi Arabia
title_short Diagnostic Utility of Total IgE in Foods, Inhalant, and Multiple Allergies in Saudi Arabia
title_sort diagnostic utility of total ige in foods inhalant and multiple allergies in saudi arabia
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/1058632
work_keys_str_mv AT jamilaalmughales diagnosticutilityoftotaligeinfoodsinhalantandmultipleallergiesinsaudiarabia