Utility of Allergy Testing in Patients with Chronic Laryngopharyngeal Symptoms: Is It Allergic Laryngitis?

Abstract

Objective: To determine the utility of allergy evaluation in patients with chronic refractory laryngeal symptoms.

Study design: Case series with chart review.

Setting: Tertiary academic medical center.

Subjects: All patients who underwent in vitro allergy testing at a single institution from 2006 to 2010, for a total of 998 patients.

Methods: Charts of patients who underwent in vitro allergy testing were identified. The charts were reviewed for the primary indication for allergy testing, as categorized into rhinitis complaints, chronic sinusitis, otitis media, and refractory laryngeal symptoms (globus, cough, throat clearing, increased secretions, and hoarseness). Results of allergy tests and comorbid conditions were analyzed and compared among groups.

Results: The positive yield of allergy testing in patients with primary laryngeal indications was 51.8%, 63.3% for rhinitis, 60.9% for sinusitis, and 33.3% for otitis media. The odds ratio of having a positive test was not statistically different for patients with laryngeal symptoms, rhinitis, or sinusitis. Patients with chronic laryngeal symptoms and positive allergy testing were most often sensitized to dust mites (63%) and least often sensitized to molds (1.3%).

Conclusions: Allergy testing in patients with chronic laryngeal symptoms yields positive results in equivalent proportion to patients with other common presenting symptoms. Dust mites sensitization is the most common sensitization in patients with allergic laryngitis.

Keywords: allergic laryngitis; allergy; chronic laryngitis; globus.