Introduction: The role of storage mites in the development of perennial rhinitis in European countries is still unclear.
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of positive results of the skin prick test (SPT) with storage mites (SM) in patients suffering from perennial allergic rhinitis and the pattern of symptoms in this group of subjects.
Material and methods: Patients referred to the Outpatient Clinic of Allergic Diseases of Barlicki University Hospital in Lodz, Poland with symptoms of perennial rhinitis were included. The patients had SPT and spirometry performed and answered the questions from the Schultze-Werninghaus questionnaire for subjects with allergic diseases of the respiratory tract. Tested SM extracts were Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor and Tyrophagus putrescentiae.
Results: Ninety-one adult patients were included and 60 (66%) of them were atopic. Among atopic patients 24 subjects (40%) had at least one positive SPT with storage mite allergens (SM+ group). The main nasal symptom was nasal congestion, reported by 88.9 and 95.8% of patients from the SM– and SM+ group, respectively. There was no significant difference in frequency of reported nasal congestion, sneezing, rhinorrhea and nasal itching as well as bronchial symptoms between the groups. RS+ patients reported urticaria significantly more frequently, while RS– patients significantly more often complained of productive cough.
Conclusions: These results suggest that storage mites may be an underestimated cause of perennial allergic rhinitis. The pattern of nasal symptoms does not differ significantly between SM– and SM+ groups.