Here are findings from the published work:
- Twenty adult patients were tested, utilizing 1 mg/ml histamine on the arms and 6 mg/ml histamine on the back.
- Results from the arms showed 18 wheals that were smaller than 3 mm for ComforTen, and only three wheals less than 3 mm for Multi-Test PC. This certainly raises an important issue of sensitivity.
- Results from the back showed nine wheals that were less than 3 mm in diameter for ComforTen and no wheals less than 3 mm in diameter for Multi-Test PC. Even at this high concentration of histamine, there is an issue of sensitivity.
- Multi-Test PC produced 57% larger wheals than ComforTen, when used on the arms, with mean wheal sizes of 6.25 mm vs. 4.0 mm respectively.
- Multi-Test PC produced 43% larger wheals than ComforTen even with the higher potency histamine, when used on the back, with mean wheal sizes of 7.15 mm vs. 5.02 mm respectively.
- Neither device produced wheals at any of the saline locations, but when averaging the pain factor, ComforTen was 14% more painful than Multi-Test PC.
In summary: Multi-Test PC generated much larger and easier-to-read reactions than ComforTen and a nearly insignificant number of wheals less than 3 mm when compared to ComforTen. While the differences in perceived pain were small, ComforTen produced more discomfort than Multi-Test PC.