BACKGROUND: Asthma and allergic rhinitis are a global health burden. Inhalant allergens worsen the symptoms and clinical manifestations of asthma and allergic rhinitis. Skin prick test is the gold standard for diagnosing allergen sensitization but is associated with some limitations. In contrast, in vitro serum-specific immunoglobulin E (SSIgE) test is convenient and is not associated with an anaphylactic risk. OBJECTIVE: The present study compared the accuracy of the SSIgE test by using microfluidic array enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with that of the skin prick test for diagnosing inhalant allergen sensitization in patients with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis. METHODS: This diagnostic study included patients with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis. Of these, 100 patients underwent the SSIgE test for diagnosing sensitization to house dust mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, and Blomia tropicalis), dog dander, cat dander, and cockroach allergen. All the patients also underwent the skin prick test for diagnosing allergen sensitization. The sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, and likelihood ratio (LR) of the SSIgE test were evaluated for each allergen. RESULTS: Sensitivity of the SSIgE test for diagnosing house dust mite sensitization was 48%–77%, with the highest sensitivity (77%) observed for diagnosing D. farinae sensitization. Specificity of the SSIgE test for diagnosing house dust mite sensitization was 64%–95%, with the highest specificity (95%) observed for diagnosing B. tropicalis sensitization. Although the SSIgE test showed high specificity and LR+ for diagnosing cockroach allergen sensitization, it showed low sensitivity (12%). Moreover, the SSIgE test showed high specificity (89%) but low sensitivity (3%) for diagnosing dog dander sensitization and high specificity (88%) but low sensitivity (10%) for diagnosing cat dander sensitization. CONCLUSION: The SSIgE test using microfluidic array ELISA shows moderate accuracy for diagnosing house dust mite sensitization and low accuracy for diagnosing cockroach allergen and dog and cat dander sensitization.
Allergens ; Animals ; Asthma ; Cats ; Cockroaches ; Dander ; Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus ; Dogs ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Global Health ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; In Vitro Techniques ; Indonesia ; Microfluidics ; Pyroglyphidae ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Skin ; Skin Tests

Background: The co-occurrence of frailty, sarcopenia, and malnutrition was well studied in inpatient and nursing home settings, which was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality. Multicentre data in community-dwelling outpatient setting were lacking. We aimed to find the prevalence of frailty, possible sarcopenia and malnutrition, their overlap and the associated factors in community-dwelling older outpatients. Methods: We collected data from community-dwelling outpatients aged ≥60 years in Indonesian geriatric care centres to conduct this cross-sectional study with bivariate and multivariable analyses. Frailty, possible sarcopenia, and malnutrition diagnoses were based on FRAIL scale, Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 consensus, and Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form, respectively. Results: The prevalence of frailty, possible sarcopenia, and malnutrition in community-dwelling older outpatients were 13.6%, 45.5%, and 5.3%, respectively. The prevalence of co-occurrence of frailty, possible sarcopenia and malnutrition was 3.3%. It was associated with transient ischemic attack (TIA) and cerebrovascular accident (odds ratio [OR]=5.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.48–20.61), cognitive impairment (OR=3.70, 95% CI 1.21–11.31), and dependent functional capacity (OR=11.62, 95% CI 3.38–39.99). Overlap of three evaluated syndromes was found in 24.1%, 7.2%, and 61.3% of subjects with frailty, possible sarcopenia, and malnutrition, respectively. It was characterized by a substantial proportion of female sex, older adults with low educational attainment, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cognitive impairment, multimorbidity, and dependent functional status. Conclusion Approximately 1 in 30 community-dwelling older outpatients had overlapping frailty, possible sarcopenia, and malnutrition. The condition is associated with TIA and cerebrovascular accident, cognitive impairment, and dependent functional capacity. Standardized screening in community-dwelling older population is necessary.

Background: The co-occurrence of frailty, sarcopenia, and malnutrition was well studied in inpatient and nursing home settings, which was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality. Multicentre data in community-dwelling outpatient setting were lacking. We aimed to find the prevalence of frailty, possible sarcopenia and malnutrition, their overlap and the associated factors in community-dwelling older outpatients. Methods: We collected data from community-dwelling outpatients aged ≥60 years in Indonesian geriatric care centres to conduct this cross-sectional study with bivariate and multivariable analyses. Frailty, possible sarcopenia, and malnutrition diagnoses were based on FRAIL scale, Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 consensus, and Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form, respectively. Results: The prevalence of frailty, possible sarcopenia, and malnutrition in community-dwelling older outpatients were 13.6%, 45.5%, and 5.3%, respectively. The prevalence of co-occurrence of frailty, possible sarcopenia and malnutrition was 3.3%. It was associated with transient ischemic attack (TIA) and cerebrovascular accident (odds ratio [OR]=5.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.48–20.61), cognitive impairment (OR=3.70, 95% CI 1.21–11.31), and dependent functional capacity (OR=11.62, 95% CI 3.38–39.99). Overlap of three evaluated syndromes was found in 24.1%, 7.2%, and 61.3% of subjects with frailty, possible sarcopenia, and malnutrition, respectively. It was characterized by a substantial proportion of female sex, older adults with low educational attainment, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cognitive impairment, multimorbidity, and dependent functional status. Conclusion Approximately 1 in 30 community-dwelling older outpatients had overlapping frailty, possible sarcopenia, and malnutrition. The condition is associated with TIA and cerebrovascular accident, cognitive impairment, and dependent functional capacity. Standardized screening in community-dwelling older population is necessary.

Background: The co-occurrence of frailty, sarcopenia, and malnutrition was well studied in inpatient and nursing home settings, which was associated with higher risk of all-cause mortality. Multicentre data in community-dwelling outpatient setting were lacking. We aimed to find the prevalence of frailty, possible sarcopenia and malnutrition, their overlap and the associated factors in community-dwelling older outpatients. Methods: We collected data from community-dwelling outpatients aged ≥60 years in Indonesian geriatric care centres to conduct this cross-sectional study with bivariate and multivariable analyses. Frailty, possible sarcopenia, and malnutrition diagnoses were based on FRAIL scale, Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 consensus, and Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form, respectively. Results: The prevalence of frailty, possible sarcopenia, and malnutrition in community-dwelling older outpatients were 13.6%, 45.5%, and 5.3%, respectively. The prevalence of co-occurrence of frailty, possible sarcopenia and malnutrition was 3.3%. It was associated with transient ischemic attack (TIA) and cerebrovascular accident (odds ratio [OR]=5.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.48–20.61), cognitive impairment (OR=3.70, 95% CI 1.21–11.31), and dependent functional capacity (OR=11.62, 95% CI 3.38–39.99). Overlap of three evaluated syndromes was found in 24.1%, 7.2%, and 61.3% of subjects with frailty, possible sarcopenia, and malnutrition, respectively. It was characterized by a substantial proportion of female sex, older adults with low educational attainment, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cognitive impairment, multimorbidity, and dependent functional status. Conclusion Approximately 1 in 30 community-dwelling older outpatients had overlapping frailty, possible sarcopenia, and malnutrition. The condition is associated with TIA and cerebrovascular accident, cognitive impairment, and dependent functional capacity. Standardized screening in community-dwelling older population is necessary.