Allergies in India: an analysis of 3389 patients attending an allergy clinic in Mumbai, India.

A total of 3389 consecutive patients attending the allergy clinic over a period of 5 years (2003-2007) were analysed by the same physician. Males outnumbered females ie, 53.05% versus 46.95%.; 89.17% of the patients were adults and 10.83% were children. More than 80% of the patients were young, below 40 years of age. Nasobronchial allergies viz, asthma, rhinitis or asthma with rhinitis formed the largest group of patients (76.9%). Total serum IgE levels were elevated in every patient (except in those with contact dermatitis). The highest levels of IgE were seen in patients with atopic dermatitis (mean 1615.47 IU/ml). The house dust mite, D farinae, showed the highest incidence (77.13%) of positive reactions. Positive reactions to foods (16.48%) were more than that reported in western countries, whereas positive reactions to pollen were comparatively low (8.61%). In the contact dermatitis group, nickel sulphate (38.5%) and Parthenium hysterophorus (36.5%) were the commonest allergens on patch testing. Penicillins, sulphonamides and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were the drugs most commonly found to cause allergic reactions in India. The incidence of atopy is estimated to be 28.96% in a randomised survey of the Indian population.