Prediction of atopy via total immunoglobulin E levels andskin prick tests in patients with psoriasis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Although the etiopathogeneses of psoriasis and atopy appear to be different, psoriasis has been found to be associated with atopy and atopic dermatitis. In this study, we aimed to determine the role of atopy by examining the medical history and clinical and laboratory findings of patients with psoriasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with psoriasis, asthma patients, and healthy volunteers were included in the study. Serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels were obtained, and prick tests were administered to all groups.

RESULTS: Psoriatic patients demonstrated percentages of atopy history (21.3%) that were higher than those of the healthy subjects (15.7%). The median total IgE level in psoriatic patients was found to be statistically higher than that in the healthy control group (P > 0.05). With respect to mite positivity, there were statistically significant differences in the psoriatic (P < 0.05) and asthmatic groups (P < 0.001) when compared to the healthy control group.

CONCLUSION: Our study is the first to use skin prick tests with psoriatic patients. Skin prick test sensitivity to mites increased in psoriatic patients, and we believe that this finding may be useful in protecting psoriatic patients from activation of psoriasis and in determining the appropriate treatment approach.