Allergic Conjunctivitis in Patients with Respiratory Allergic Symptoms; a Retrospective Study in Greece

Abstract Here, we report on the prevalence of allergic conjunctivitis and positive skin prick test (SPT) results in relation to respiratory allergic conditions among patients with symptoms of allergies at a respiratory outpatient clinic. A questionnaire survey of symptoms (i.e., asthma-like, rhinitis, and conjunctivitis symptoms) involving ۱۵۲۲ patients was carried out. The responses of ۱۲۴۲ patients indicated that they had allergic conjunctivitis, asthma, rhinitis, or a combination of these conditions, and ۸۶۹ of these patients underwent SPTs that assessed responses to ۴۰ allergens. Allergic conjunctivitis was found to be very common (۴۰%, ۴۹۷ out of ۱۲۴۲ patients) among those with symptoms of allergies. Conjunctivitis was slightly more common among women, while rhinitis was more common among men. Patients with both conjunctivitis and rhinitis were more likely to undergo SPTs, and they had a higher rate of positive SPTs. The coexistence of two or more comorbidities increased the risk of having an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergy (based on the SPT results) compared to having each of the conditions alone. In conclusion, allergic conjunctivitis can occur either alone or with asthma and/or rhinitis. It is not always accompanied by rhinitis, but the coexistence of these conditions was the strongest indicator of IgE-mediated allergies.