[Evaluating total serum IgE levels and peripheral eosinophil count in asthma and rhinitis].

BACKGROUND: Total serum immunoglobulin (Ig)E levels and peripheral blood eosinophil counts are widely examined to evaluate patients with various allergic diseases. Asthma and allergic rhinitis often coexist. However, the significance of these indices for asthma and rhinitis under consideration of the status of co-existence has not been fully elucidated and was therefore examined in the present study. METHODS: Subjects comprised 347 adult residents in Kamishihoro town, Hokkaido. Relationships between two indices and asthma, rhinitis and their coexistence were analyzed. RESULTS: Serum IgE (sIgE) levels were significantly higher in asthma with (p<0.01) or without (p<0.01) rhinitis, regardless of atopic status, but not in rhinitis alone. Peripheral eosinophil counts were significantly higher only in asthma with rhinitis (p<0.005). CONCLUSION: Compared with rhinitis, non-antigen-specific IgE production may contribute more to elevated levels of sIgE in asthma. In addition, the significance of sIgE and peripheral eosinophil count as indices of evaluating asthma and rhinitis might differ.