Respiratory allergies affect a significant portion of the global population, creating a substantial health-economic burden. Unfortunately, many cases go undiagnosed due to various factors, highlighting the critical need for accurate and timely diagnosis. Current diagnostic methods, such as skin prick tests (SPT), exhibit variability and potential for human error, emphasizing the necessity for standardization.

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A novel skin prick automated test (S.P.A.T.) device has been developed to address these issues. Previous studies demonstrated the device's performance, tolerability, and safety (Gorris et al., allergy 2023). The current study, conducted at AZ Herentals in Belgium, compared S.P.A.T. with the traditional SPT for common inhalant allergens.

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The study enrolled 112 healthy volunteers, and the results showed a remarkable 34% reduction in inconsistent test outcomes with S.P.A.T. compared to SPT. S.P.A.T. demonstrated superior accuracy by avoiding false negatives, and the ability to discriminate positive and negative results was significantly higher than SPT. Furthermore, S.P.A.T. exhibited lower intra-subject variability in wheal sizes for common allergens.

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Participants reported a more favourable experience with S.P.A.T., as reflected in lower discomfort levels compared to the manual test method. Safety assessments revealed no adverse events during the study.

The study underscores the potential of the S.P.A.T. device in improving the consistency and reliability of allergy testing, contributing to the standardization of skin prick tests. This innovative approach not only enhances diagnostic accuracy but also prioritizes patient comfort, representing a significant advancement in allergy testing methodology.

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