Ziya Toros Selçuk

Prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases in primary school children in Ankara, Turkey: two cross-sectional studies, five years apart.

The prevalence of allergic diseases is reported to have increased worldwide. Two questionnaire surveys, five years apart, were conducted to evaluate the trend of prevalence rates and possible risk factors among primary school children in Ankara, Turkey. A previous survey in 1992 revealed the lifetime prevalences of asthma, wheezing, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis were 17.4%, 23.3%, 28% and 6.1%, and the prevalences for the preceding 12 months were 8.3%, 11.9%, 15.4% and 4%, respectively. The survey was repeated with the same questionnaire in the same age group (6–13 years) of the same school in May 1997. The parents of 358 boys and 380 girls completed the questionnaire. The lifetime and last 12 months’ prevalences of asthma, wheezing, rhinitis and atopic dermatitis were 16.8%, 22.5%, 18.7%, 6.5%, and 9.8%, 13.3%, 14.1%, 4.3%, respectively. There was a significant change only for the lifetime prevalence of rhinitis (p < 0.001). The rate of indoor smoking had declined from 73.9% to 64%, and pet ownership had risen from 7.9% to 22.9% (p < 0.001 for both). Atopic family history was the most prominent risk factor for all types of allergic disorders. Male gender was a significant risk factor for current asthma and wheezing [odds ratio (OR) = 1.80 and 1.59; 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 1.09–2.98 and 1.01–2.48, respectively], and passive smoking affected the occurrence of allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.84; CI = 1.13–3.00). The prevalence rates of allergic diseases among primary school children in Ankara stabilized during a 5‐year period for all diseases other than allergic rhinitis. However, there are changing behavior patterns, i.e. indoor smoking and keeping pet animals, which that may have affected these rates.

Prevalence of childhood asthma and allergic diseases in Ankara, Turkey

Kalyoncu AF, Selçuk ZT, Karakoca Y, Emri AS, Çöplü L, Şahin AA, Bariş YI. Prevalence of childhood asthma and allergic diseases in Ankara, Turkey.

Survey of the allergic status of patients with bronchial asthma in Turkey: a multicenter study

Patients diagnosed with bronchial asthma (BA) were prospectively enrolled to assess their allergen spectra and atopic status. The patients came from five major cities (Ankara. Ízmir, Samsun. ElazíǵC, and Adana) in different regions of Turkey. Atopic status, total IgE levels, and allergen speelra were determined in 1149 patients and 210 controls who were spouses of the patients sharing the same environment hut not consanguinity with the patients. Total IgF. levels were significant higher in the asthmatic patients. For both groups, total IgE. levels were higher in both alopic and male subjects. Atopy rates were 42% in asthmatics and 26.1% in controls, declining notably by age in both groups. The most common allergen in both groups was house‐dust mite (RDM), which was more frequency detected in coastal regions (Samsun. Izmir, and Adana). Allergen spectra of the patients included HDM. pollens, cockroach, pet animals, and molds in decreasing order of frequency. Phleum praiensi: and Artemisia vulgam were the most common pollens in all regions, whereas Olea europaea was the most common in Izmir. Pollen sensitivity was least frequent in hlazig. For all of the regions, pet sensitivity was less common than, and mold sensitivity was comparable to, that of Western countries. In conclusion. BA patients in Turkey displayed significant differences in their allergen spectra and total IgE levels from control subjects and BA patients in Western countries.

Prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases in primary school children in Edirne, Turkey, two surveys 10 years apart

Selcuk ZT, Demir AU, Tabakoglu E, Caglar T. Prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases in primary school children in Edirne, Turkey, two surveys 10 years apart.
Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010: 21: e711–e717.
© 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S