Allergen Awareness among Patients Attending Allergy Consultations at the Pneumophthisiology Department of Ignace Deen University Hospital

Abstract Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the allergen sensitisation profile of patients attending allergy consultations in Conakry. Patients/Methods : This was a prospective cross-sectional study lasting seven months, from 1 December 2023 to 30 June 2024. The study included patients with asthma and/or rhinitis outside of flare-ups who had stopped taking antihistamines (7 days) and corticosteroids (5-7 days) before allergen exposure. Results : The most represented age group was 11-20 years old, accounting for 45% of the study population, with a mean age of 26 years (range: 2-68 years). The prevalence of sensitisation was 96.25%, with sensitisation dominated by house dust mites (Dp= 53.09%; Df= 49.38% and Bt= 53.16%), followed by mould (Alternaria alternata=25%). In terms of diagnosis, allergic rhinitis (36.80%) was the most common in , followed by allergic asthma (29.63%). We also noted an association between asthma and allergic rhinitis in 18.51% of cases and asthma + allergic conjunctivitis in 7.41% of cases. The majority of our patients were sensitised to at least one allergen (64.19%) compared to 35.81% to at least two allergens (22.23% and 13.58%). Conclusion: The majority of our patients were sensitised to at least one allergen, and the prevalence of sensitisation was higher in young people and was dominated by dust mites and mould.