| Summary: | The rapid increase in asthma incidence implies to the importance of environmental
factor over genetic factor. Sensitisation to perennial indoor allergens has been associated with
the increase of asthma symptoms. This research aims to identify the correlation between
sensitisation to indoor allergens and asthma severity in children.
A cross-sectional study was held in the Pediatric Department of Sanglah Hospital,
Denpasar, on asthmatic children aged 6 to 12 years. The degree of sensitisation was assessed
by the mean wheal diameter (positive � 3 mm from negative control) for seven common
indoor allergens. Frequency of asthma exacerbation for three consecutive months prior to
data collection was retrospectively reviewed.
Skin test results from 84 of 89 (94%) asthmatic children were positive for one or
more allergens. The median of patients� ages was 93 months (interquartile range 81-117
months), and males constituted 64%. Higher frequency of asthma exacerbation was
significantly correlated with the numbers of allergens with positive sensitisation (r=0,284
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