Correlation of aspergillus skin hypersensitivity with the duration and severity of asthma

Asthma is a significant health problem worldwide and Allergic Bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) complicates the course of 1-2% of patients of asthma. Aspergillus skin hypersensitivity (AH) is the first step for diagnosis of ABPA. This study was conducted to know the correlation of AH with severity and duration of asthma. Patients, age >15 years, of asthma attending this hospital from January 2015 to December 2015 were included. Asthma was diagnosed clinically and confirmed with spirometry. Of 282 patients 206 patients were AH positive. The AST-positivity in patients having severe asthma (96.8%) was higher than that in patients having mild (36.8%) and moderate asthma (80.4%). The median (IQR) duration of asthma of AH positive patients was 5.0 yrs. This study emphasized the need of ABPA screening by intradermal skin test especially in patients having severe asthma and/or those having asthma for longer duration in order for early diagnosis of ABPA.