PMID: 15228373Jul 2, 2004Paper

Identification of allergic disease among users of antihistamines

Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy : JMCP
Sheryl L SzeinbachRichard D O'Connor

Abstract

Patients exhibit a multitude of symptoms that may or may not be allergy related. In this study, we examined the consistency between results obtained by a multiallergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) test and frequent use (3 months or more) of prescribed antihistamines. A retrospective examination of 1-year prescription claims records from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2000, for 4,643 patients enrolled in a 115,000-member managed care organization who received 1 or more prescriptions for an oral antihistamine (loratadine, fexofenadine, or cetirizine). A total of 1,343 health plan enrollees who received an oral antihistamine prescription were continuously enrolled during the year 2000 and diagnosed with allergic rhinitis. Of these patients, 246 (18%) consented to a multiallergen- specific IgE test, and 159 patients (64.6%) had a negative IgE test result. A total of 163 patients were classified as frequent antihistamine users (3 or more antihistamine prescriptions), and 101 (62.0%) of these patients had negative test results. Our study demonstrated no relation between prescribed antihistamine use and patient sensitization status. Only 35.4% of the patients who used an oral antihistamine and were diagnosed with an allergy ...Continue Reading

Citations

Nov 24, 2005·Chest·Lee R Choo-Kang
Aug 11, 2005·Value in Health : the Journal of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research·Joel W Hay, Michael Leahy
Sep 3, 2005·Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology : Official Publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology·Sheryl L SzeinbachHanaa Elhefni

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