Utility of the ratio of food-specific IgE/total IgE in predicting symptomatic food allergy in children.

BACKGROUND

Double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenges are time-consuming, expensive and not without risk to patients. Therefore, an in vitro test that could accurately diagnose food allergy would be of great value.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the utility of the ratio of specific immunoglobulin E (IgE)/total IgE compared with specific IgE (sIgE) alone in predicting symptomatic food allergy.

METHODS

We retrospectively analysed 992 controlled oral food challenges performed in 501 children (median age 13 months). The ratio of sIgE/total IgE was calculated and tested for correlation with the outcome of food challenges. Receiver operator characteristics (ROC)-curves were performed; predicted probabilities and predictive decision points were calculated.

RESULTS

A significant correlation was found between the ratio and the outcome of food challenges for cow's milk (CM), hen's egg (HE), and wheat, but not for soy. The ROC and predicted probability curves as well as sensitivity and specificity of the decision points of the ratio were similar to those of sIgE levels for CM, HE and wheat.

CONCLUSION

In view of the greater effort needed to determine the ratio, without benefit compared with the sIgE alone, the calculation of the ratio of sIgE/total IgE for diagnosing symptomatic food allergy offers no advantage for CM, HE, wheat or soy. For the majority of cases controlled oral food challenges still remain the method of choice.