Comparative skin and RAST test results--an update.
Ninety allergy patients who had RAST testing prior to skin testing are evaluated by the comparison of the results of these two contrasting methods of testing. The skin tests were done on the basis of the RAST results and the size of the wheal obtained was greater than expected in the less sensitive patients with both pollens and non-pollens. The opposite was found with the more sensitive patients--Rast classes 4 and 5. The distribution of the results was statistically analyzed and the p-value was less than .001 for both pollens and non-pollens. The resultant conclusions are that desensitization based on RAST testing alone is contraindicated and that the patient is best handled by integration of the findings of these two different testing modes.