Supplementary Material for: Retrospective Analysis of Allergen Characteristics in Patients with Allergic Diseases in Sanmen, Zhejiang Province

Objective: Allergic diseases represent a growing global health challenge, necessitating region-specific allergen characterization for targeted prevention and treatment. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of allergens in patients with allergic diseases in Sanmen, Zhejiang Province.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on allergen test results obtained from patients with allergic diseases who attended the People's Hospital of Sanmen County, Zhejiang Province, from July 2019 to June 2023. The serum total IgE levels and allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) positivity rates were assessed, and intergroup differences were statistically analyzed using hypothesis testing methodologies.
Results: A comprehensive analysis of 19,598 patients with allergic diseases was conducted, evaluating serum total IgE levels and allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) positivity rates. The positivity rate for serum total IgE was 25.67%, significantly higher than the IgE prevalence of inhalant allergens (24.84%) and food allergens (12.48%), significantly higher than the positivity rate for food allergen sIgE at 12.48% (P<0.001). Dermatophagoides spp. allergens was identified as the primary source of inhalant allergens with a positivity rate of 16.31%, whereas crustacean allergens (tropomyosin) was the most prevalent food allergen with a positivity rate of 5.17%. The positivity rates for serum total IgE and sIgE were significantly higher in males compared to females (P<0.001). Although females exhibited a higher positivity rate for dog hair allergy, the difference was insignificant (P=0.306). The serum total IgE positivity rate was highest in the ≤12 age group and declined with age, with a resurgence observed in individuals over 60. Similarly, the positivity rates for Dermatophagoides spp. allergens and cow's milk also decreased with age. The highest incidence of allergic diseases occurred between August and November, peaking in November at 30.63%. Among patients with allergic diseases, 23.20% tested positive for at least one sIgE, while 3.17% demonstrated positivity for three or more allergens.
Conclusion: In Sanmen, Zhejiang, Dermatophagoides spp. allergens was identified as the principal inhalant allergen among patients with allergic diseases, whereas crustacean allergens (tropomyosin) was the predominant food allergen. Male patients demonstrated a higher allergen positivity rate compared to females. These findings derived from allergen screening establish a solid foundation for laboratory diagnostics, thereby aiding in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of allergic diseases.