Determination of Serum IgE and Eosinophils as a Diagnostic Indicator in Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic Rhinitis is a chronic, inflammatory disease induced by an IgE-mediated reaction and identified clinically by the presence of symptoms of nasal discharge, itching, sneezing and nasal congestion. The aim and objectives of the study was to determine serum IgE and eosinophil levels in patients with allergic rhinitis and healthy controls, men and women, different age groups and to establish a correlation between serum IgE and eosinophil. A retrospective study was conducted in the outpatient department of ENT in ICARE institute of medical sciences and research, Haldia during the time span of March 2016 to February 2017. A total of 155 subjects (113 cases and 42 controls, 74 men and 81 women) of age 1 month-75 years were selected for the study. Blood samples obtained were analyzed to determine serum IgE and eosinophil levels and the results were subjected to statistical analysis using STATA 12 software. The mean values and standard deviation of the serum log IgE and eosinophil levels in cases and healthy controls, men and women, various age groups were obtained and tabulated using paired t test and MV test. Pearson's correlation was performed to establish a relationship between serum log IgE and eosinophil levels. The mean values of serum log IgE and eosinophil levels were found to be higher in cases (log IgE-5.65, IgE-814.36 IU/ml, eosinophil-4.49%) when compared to controls (log IgE-4.43, IgE-96.62 IU/ml, eosinophil-2.36%). Men predominance was seen in mean serum log IgE levels (IgE-1018.5 IU/ml, log IgE-5.92) whereas women predominance in mean eosinophil counts (4.96%) in allergic rhinitis. A weakly positive correlation of 0.194 was established between serum log IgE and eosinophil levels. Estimation of serum IgE and eosinophil can serve as a simple, non-invasive and reliable investigative tool in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis.