Measuring atopy in a multi-centre epidemiological study

摘要: Skin prick tests are used as a measure of atopy in epidemiological studies, but results may be influenced by the fieldworker performing test. In multi-centre study method reporting should consider need for comparability findings from different centres. Data on over 1000 subjects three English centres European Community Respiratory Health Survey were analysed to determine whether allergen wheal adjusted histamine wheal, and what cutoff diameter gave most comparable results. No consistent relation between was found any or allergen. A > 0 mm positive result more with corresponding specific IgE value fieldworkers than either ⩾ 3 use mean diameter. While this is not immediately generalisable studies using skin test reagents, analysis appropriate criterion can other studies.