Serum immunoglobulin E levels in patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia - experience from a tertiary hospital in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Primary hypogammaglobulinemia has been proposed to be associated with an increased incidence of allergic diseases, but the correlation between the clinical presentation and the serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) level has not been studied in this patient group. This study investigated the correlation of IgE levels and allergic condition in patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia. METHODS Thirty five patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia were enrolled from September 2004 to March 2005. Serum IgE levels were measured at clinic follow-up. Information regarding the patient's history of allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and asthma, were collected from chart review and clinic interviews. RESULTS Significantly lower mean +/- standard deviation serum IgE levels were found in allergic patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia (123.9 +/- 148.8 IU/mL) than in the healthy control group (376.2 +/- 471.7 IU/mL) [p < 0.005] or in allergic patients without primary hypogammaglobulinemia (544.1 +/- 309.1 IU/mL) [p < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS Serum IgE level is not a suitable diagnostic criterion or treatment guide for allergy in patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia.