ALLERGIC BRONCHOPULMONARY ASPERGILLOSIS (ABPA) AMONG ADULT PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH ASTHMA

Abstract

Background: Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is an immune reaction in the lungs to Aspergillus species, particularly Aspergillus fumigatus.

Objective: To establish the incidence of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in adult bronchial asthma patients among tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

Methods: This Descriptive cross-sectional study was undertaken in Department of Pulmonology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi for six months. The number of adult patients who have bronchial asthma is 101 obtained by non-probability consecutive sampling. Data pertaining to demographic and clinical characteristics were gathered on a pre-designed proforma. The serum total Immunoglobulin E (IgE) level was quantified by chemiluminescence immunoassay and Aspergillus fumigatus sensitization was determined by skin prick testing. The analysis of data was done using SPSS version 25 and expressed in frequencies, percentages and Mean ±SD.

Results: The mean age of patients was 52.3 ± 12.1 years and the mean duration of asthma was 5.8 ± 3.5 years. Out of 101 patients, 44 (43.6%) were male and 57 (56.4%) were female. A history of smoking was found in 34 (33.7%) of them. 17/100 patients were diagnosed with ABPA (16.8%). 27.7% of patients were positive for Aspergillus skin test. There was no significant correlation of ABPA with age, sex, smoking status, duration of asthma and skin test positivity.

Conclusion: ABPA is a relatively common condition, affecting 16.8% of adult asthma patients in this study. The diagnosis and regular assessment of ABPA in asthmatics is very important, to enhance disease control and to avoid long-term lung damage.