Skin tests and clinical features of asthma. A report to the research committee of the British Thoracic and Tuberculosis Association.

Patients with asthma aged 20-49 years recruited from chest clinics in Great Britain were classified into Groups 0, 1, 2 and 3+ according to the number of positive skin reactions to skin tests with 23 allergens. Intake was regulated in order to arrive at approximately equal numbers and a similar age and sex distribution in each of the skin test groups. The clinical data recorded on questionnaires were studied in relation to the number of positive skin tests. There were few significant differences between the four skin test groups or between patients in Group 3+ who also gave a clinical history of hypersensitivity to external allergens and those patients in Group 0 who gave no such history. No correlation was found between the age of onset of asthma and the number of parents and siblings with allergic diseases. Exercise induced asthma and predominantly nocturnal attacks were not associated with other distinctive clinical features. There was a significant association between the history of pollen sensitivity and positive skin and nasal tests with grass pollen. A significant association was also found between the clinical history of house dust allergy and the skin test, but not the nasal test, with D. pteronyssinus.