[Value of IgE determination in allergic patients]

This study was done with 56 patients of the Service of Allergy and Clinical Immunology of Hospital de Especialidades CMN-IMSS. The patients were separated according to their positive or negative skin reactions in two groups: positive skin test = 29 patients and negative skin test = 27 patients. All patients were tested for the most common allergens existing in the valley of Mexico. Stool examination (3 test) hematic biometry, nasal cytology and total circulating IgE were also done. The relationship between sex, age and smoking habits with the IgE levels and results of skin tes was evaluated. IgE is higher, although non significant, in atopic, smokers and males. However the IgE levels are very variable in allergic patients and therefore it is not considered conclusive for diagnosis of these diseases.