A Study of Food Allergy in Atopic Dermatitis Using CAP-RAST FEIA and Open Food Challenge Test

Jeon, Hyun Jin; Bang, Hyeong Don; Kim, Kwang Ho; Park, Chun Wook; Kim, Kwang Joong; Lee, Cheol Heon

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The role of dietary factors in atopic dermatitis has been the subject of debate for several decades. Recently it has received convincing support from a double-blind controlled trial of an exclusion diet, showing benefit from careful avoidance of egg and milk in a group of atopic children. OBJECT: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of specific food allergies in Korean atopic dermatitis and the potential utility of the Pharmacia CAP-RAST FEIA in the diagnosis of food allergy. METHODS: One hundred ten patients with atopic dermatitis were evaluated for food hypersensitivity by history, skin prick test, CAP-RAST FEIA, and open food challenge test(OFCT). RESULTS: The prevalence of specific food allergies in the study population was 28.2% in history and 18.2% in CAP-RAST FEIA and OFCT. The frequent food allergens were milk, egg, peanut, and wheat. There was no correlation between the clinical severity of atopic dermatitis and CAP-RAST FEIA and OFCT results. Plasma eosinophil and IgE levels were correlated with CAP-RAST FEIA results, but not OFCT results. According to the history, 31 atopic dermatitis patients answered that their dermatitis was related to food, and of the 31 patients, positive reactions to prick test and CAP-RAST FEIA were observed in 8 and 22 patients, respectively. Among the other 79 patients who answered that there was no relation between atopic dermatitis and food, 14 patients reacted positively to prick test and 47 patients showed positive result to CAP-RAST FEIA. CONCLUSION: The CAP-RAST FEIA provides standardized measurement of food specific IgE antibodies which may be useful to diagnose food allergy in atopic dermatitis.