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The frequency of basic and minor features of atopic dermatitis were compared between 86 patients with coexistent asthma, and 269 without asthma. The coexistence of asthma caused a statistically significantly more frequent presence of one of the basic features: personal or family history of atopy and five minor features. The latter included: early age of onset, recurrent conjunctivitis, tendency toward cutaneous infections, elevated serum IgE and keratosis pilaris.

The study involved 117 adults and 535 children with atopic dermatitis. Immunoglobulins E against D. pteronyssinus--main allergen of the home dust--were assayed with RAST technique in children and FAST technique in adult patients. It was found that the blood serum IgE levels increase with patients' age and is the highest in patients with coexisting allergic respiratory diseases (difference statistically significant). RAST precision was compared with that of "prick" skin tests in the detection of allergy to home dust mites. Desensitization of 15 patients with home mite allergen produced satisfactory effects.

Three hundred sixty five children and hundred thirty nine adults with atopic dermatitis were divided into three groups. Group A included patients with negative family history of allergy; group B--allergy history in one parent or his family; group C--allergy in both parents or their families. It was found that total IgE level was higher in patients of group C in comparison with group A. Similarly, bronchial asthma and/or rhinitis coexisted more frequently, incidence of urticaria was higher and its onset earlier in patients of group C. The results noted in patients of group B occupied middle position between those in group A and group C. Results related to the incidence of RAST positive reactions and multiple sensitivity were similar but the differences were lower. Radioimmunologic assays were performed only in part of the tested patients.

During examinations of 479 patients referred for atopic dermatitis and 520 with urticaria it was found that in the first group coexistence of these diseases was frequently occurring, and in the second group it was rare. Food allergens caused slightly more frequently episodes of urticaria than exacerbations of atopic dermatitis. Coexistence of urticaria with atopic dermatitis was particularly frequent in patients: a) with a high IgE titre, b) with a history of allergy in the families of both parents, c) in patients with respiratory allergy associated with skin lesions.

An additional set for testing of patients with eczema was prepared. This set comprised 38 compounds, including 12 components of perfumes and food flavours, 12 components of rubber or plastic materials, 9 drugs for external use and 5 other agents. The set was used for testing of 306 patients and in nearly a half of the cases positive results were obtained.

In a group of 535 children and 103 adult patients with atopic dermatitis no differences were observed between persons with normal and raised IgE level with respect to incidence of lesions in the first or the first three months of life, the total number of the positive RAST results and the most intense reactions, that is 4 degrees, the percent of helper and suppressor T-cells, duration of remission, darkening of lower eyelids, cheilitis, involvement of the hands, the feet, the elbow flexures or knee flexures. On the other hand, in individuals with raised IgE level, especially in patients with IgE level tenfold higher or more than normal, the co-existence of alergic diseases of the respiratory system, the appearance of itching after sweating, itching after emotion, pityriasis alba, and eczema of breasts were