Multiple choice

Which one of the following statements is false about allergic asthma?

  1. Ciclosporin therapy in severe disease is helpful.

  2. Is characterized by reversible airways obstruction.

  3. Th2 cells are found in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.

  4. Affects around 10% of the population.

  5. The relevant allergen provoking allergic asthma in a given patient is diagnosed routinely by use of RAST.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

Most patients are atopic and therefore react to many environmental allergens, so RAST testing is not helpful. There is better correlation of clinical relevant allergen with skin prick testing, so this is used routinely particularly in adults. RASTs may be helpful in identifying an unusual allergen in occupational asthma only  or in children who are already on medication that might affect a skin test.

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