Browsing by Author "Boz A.B."

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    A multi-center survey of childhood asthma in Turkey - I: The cost and its determinants
    (2009) Beyhun N.E.; Soyer O.U.; Kuyucu S.; Sapan N.; Altintaş D.U.; Yüksel H.; Anlar F.Y.; Orhan F.; Cevit O.; Çokùras H.; Boz A.B.; Yaziciòlu M.; Tanaç R.; Şekerel B.E.
    Successful management of childhood asthma requires a thorough idea of the economic impact of asthma and its determinants, as policy makers and physicians inevitably influence the outcome. The aim of this study was to define the cost of childhood asthma in Turkey and its determinants. In April 2006, a multi-center, national study was performed where data regarding cost and control levels were collected. Asthmatic children (6-18 yr) with at least a 1-yr follow-up seen during a 1-month period with scheduled or unscheduled visits were included. The survey included a questionnaire-guided interview and retrospective evaluation of files. Cost and its determinants during the last year were analyzed. A total of 618 children from 12 asthma centers were surveyed. The total annual cost of childhood asthma was US$1597.4 ± 236.2 and there was a significant variation in costs between study centers (p < 0.05). Frequent physician visits [odds ratio (95% confidence intervals)] [2.3 (1.6-3.4)], hospitalization [1.9 (1.1-3.3)], asthma severity [1.6 (1.1-2.8)], and school absenteeism due to asthma [1.5 (1.1-2.1)] were major predictors of total annual costs (p < 0.05 for each). The comparable cost of asthma among Turkish children with that reported in developed countries suggests that interventions to decrease the economic burden of pediatric asthma should focus on the cost-effectiveness of anti-allergic household measures and on improving the control levels of asthma. © 2008 Blackwell Munksgaard.
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    Epidemiology and burden of rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis in 9- To 11-year-old children
    (2010) Civelek E.; Yavuz S.T.; Boz A.B.; Orhan F.; Yuksel H.; Uner A.; Cakir B.; Sekerel B.E.
    Background: Rhinoconjunctivitis (RC) is regarded as the most common chronic disease of childhood; however, the currently available epidemiological studies on prevalence, burden, and risk factors of RC are insufficient. This analysis aimed to investigate potential risk factors, symptom frequency, and burden of RC. Methods: Using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood Phase II questionnaires, 6963 elementary school children aged 9-11 years were surveyed in five different city centers of Turkey. All participants were skin-prick tested with common aeroallergens. Results: The prevalence of ever rhinitis, physician-diagnosed rhinitis, current rhinitis, and current RC were 51.6, 31.0, 43.5, and 23.1%, respectively; 19.8% of children with RC symptoms were atopic to at least one allergen. Among students with RC symptoms, 42.2, 23.9, 35.8, and 28.2% reported moderate-severe interference of daily activities, at least 1 day of absence from school, visit to a health care professional, and any drug usage for rhinitis, respectively. Nasal decongestants and oral antihistamines were the most frequently used treatment. Approximately 70% of RC patients reported perennial symptoms and 42.8% were classified as mild to intermittent. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed family history of asthma and/or allergic rhinitis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.863; confidence interval, [CI] = 1.583-2.191; p < 0.001), living in a house with mold and dampness in the 1st year of life (OR = 1.651; CI = 1.356-2.01; p < 0.001), maternal smoking in pregnancy (OR = 1.425; CI = 1.089-1.864; p = 0.011), low monthly income (OR = 1.685; CI = 1.422-1.998; p = 0.001), current wheezing (OR = 2.543; CI = 2.151-3.006; p = 0.001), and current atopic eczema (OR = 2.503; CI = 1.96-3.196; p = 0.001) as significant risk factors for current RC. Conclusion: Along with the high prevalence of RC in childhood, underdiagnosis and undertreatment of the disease are also frequent. The socioeconomic burden of the disease can be reduced by increasing awareness and proper diagnosis/treatment. Copyright © 2010, OceanSide Publications, Inc.
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    Characteristics and prognosis of childhood atopic dermatitis: A multicenter study in Turkey
    (2010) Yuksel H.; Can D.; Reisli S.; Uzuner N.; Orhan F.; Cevit O.; Tahan F.; Canitez Y.; Kuyucu S.; Boz A.B.; Akcay A.; Yilmaz O.
    Background:Childhood atopic dermatitis (AD) is classically accepted as initial finding of atopic march; however, nonatopic cases do not follow this course. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics and prognosis of AD in childhood in Turkey. Methods:The study included 531 children with AD that presented to pediatric allergy departments in 11 different regions of Turkey. Age at diagnosis, total serum and inhalant-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and allergen skin prick test results were recorded retrospectively. Clinical characteristics like additional allergic diseases at presentation or during follow-up were recorded as well as duration of follow-up. Results:Mean age at diagnosis was 37.8 ± 36.2 months. Mean IgE level was 318.3 ± 677.8 IU/ml (median 100 IU/ml). Skin prick tests yielded positive results in 47% of children. At presentation, 31.6% of children reported additional allergic disease, while 11.7% developed allergic disease during follow-up. Among all, 46.6% had additional allergic disease at any point. IgE levels were significantly higher in children with additional allergic diseases (p = 0.001). Allergen skin prick test positivity and family history of allergic diseases increased the risk of additional allergic diseases significantly (OR = 3.90, 95% CI = 2.3-6.6 and OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.3-2.8, respectively). Conclusions: Allergic sensitization is not present in all cases of AD. Coexistence of additional allergic diseases is not as high as expected but more common in children who have been demonstrated to have atopic sensitization with high IgE levels and allergen skin prick test positivity. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG.
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    Extent and burden of allergic diseases in elementary schoolchildren: A national multicenter study
    (2010) Civelek E.; Cakir B.; Boz A.B.; Yuksel H.; Orhan F.; Uner A.; Sekerel B.E.
    Background: Scarcity of standardized, comparable data on allergic diseases in schoolchildren in Turkey requires further multicenter studies based on the use of objective tools in addition to parent-completed questionnaires to improve the validity and reliability of results. Methods: Using International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC) Phase II tools, elementary schoolchildren aged 9 to 11 years were surveyed in 5 city centers in different regions of Turkey. Results: We surveyed 6963 children from 70 schools and found that 35% had had at least 1 symptom of allergic diseases in the past year. Based on parental reports, the overall prevalence rates for wheezing, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema in the past year were 15.8%, 23.5%, and 8.1%, respectively. The overall frequencies of atopy, flexural dermatitis, and bronchial hyperreactivity were 18.9%, 3.6%, and 24.2%, respectively. There were large variations in the prevalence of both symptoms and objective signs between study centers. Absence from school for at least 1 day was reported for 34.2% of children with a diagnosis of asthma or allergic rhinitis. Conclusions: Approximately one third of elementary schoolchildren reported symptoms compatible with allergic diseases in the past year. The interregional differences in both symptoms and objective test results are possibly due to differences in environmental conditions. Unfortunately, serious problems are still encountered in the timely and proper diagnosis and treatment of allergic diseases. © 2010 Esmon Publicidad.
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    Influence of education on primary care physicians' knowledge on childhood allergy as a systemic disease and the atopic march
    (2011) Yilmaz O.; Reisli I.; Tahan F.; Orhan F.; Boz A.B.; Yuksel H.
    Background: There are many educational events for physicians in different countries covering one or some of the allergic diseases. Most of these educational events have been reported to improve care by the physicians. The aim of this study was to determine the baseline knowledge of general practitioners (GP) regarding the systemic nature of childhood allergy and atopic march, and to assess the influence of an educational event on this baseline knowledge. Methods: Two hundred and two GPs from five different cities in Turkey who attended education seminars were enrolled. All GPs were received the questionnaire both before and after the seminar. The questionnaire had statements about the systemic nature of childhood allergies and the atopic march, and GPs were asked to mark their degree of agreement as (completely true, partially true, wrong). Results: Mean age of GPs was 38.6 ± 6.0 years. Mean duration after graduation from medical faculty was 13.9 ± 6.5 years. There was significant improvement in answers after education. The statement " Frequency of allergic rhinitis and asthma is not as high as expected in children with atopic dermatitis" was regarded " wrong" by 60.9% but increased to 94.3% after the education (p < 0.001). Systemic nature of allergy was approved by 72.8%, which increased to 99% after the education (p < 0.001). Adrenalin as first line treatment in anaphylaxis treatment was appreciated by a higher number of GPs with the education (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Many GPs lack updated information about the systemic nature of paediatric allergic diseases and a single educational event may improve their knowledge significantly. © 2010 SEICAP.
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    Anaphylaxis in Turkish children: A multi-centre, retrospective, case study
    (2011) Orhan F.; Canitez Y.; Bakirtas A.; Yilmaz O.; Boz A.B.; Can D.; Kuyucu S.; Harmanci K.; Tahan F.; Reisli I.; Karakas T.; Baki A.; Cokugras H.; Cakir M.; Yuksel H.
    Background: Anaphylaxis is a serious and potentially lethal systemic reaction affecting more than one organ or system. Objective: We aimed to describe the demographic characteristics, clinical features, causes, settings, and administered therapy in Turkish children. Methods: This retrospective, case note study included all children referred to the outpatient clinics of the Pediatric Allergy Departments of the participating study centres from 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2009 for investigation of anaphylaxis or who were seen by us at the moment of the reaction during the same period and who met the clinical criteria of anaphylaxis. Results: Two hundred and twenty-four cases of anaphylaxis were reported in 137 children (88 boys, P = 0.0001). The mean ± SD age at the referral was 7.7 ± 4.2 years (range: 4 months-17 years). Ninety-eight episodes (43.8%) occurred at home. The symptoms were cutaneous in 222 (99.1%) episodes, respiratory in 217 (96.9%), neuro-psychiatric in 118 (52.7%), cardiovascular in 92 (41.1%), and gastrointestinal in 88 (39.3%). Biphasic reaction was reported in seven episodes (3.1%, 95% CI: 1.5-6.3). Death occurred in one case (0.4%, 95% CI: 0.08-2.4). Treatment was available in 158 episodes (70.5%). Of them, 148 (93.7%) received antihistamines, 132 (83.5%) corticosteroids, 51 (32.3%) epinephrine, and 17 (10.8%) beta-2-mimetics. The causative agents were foods in 86 (38.4%) episodes, hymenoptera venom in 84 (37.5%), drugs and medications in 47 (21.0%), and latex in 5 (2.2%). In two episodes (0.9%), the causative agent was unidentified. Allergy to the trigger was known prior to anaphylaxis in 116 (51.8%) episodes. An epinephrine auto-injector had been prescribed for 70 children (51.1%). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance: Anaphylaxis was seen significantly more in boys. Most of the reactions occurred at home. Foods were the most frequent cause. Epinephrine, the first-line treatment of anaphylaxis, was administered in only a third of the children. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
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    The reliability and validity of Turkish version of Childhood Asthma Control Test
    (2012) Sekerel B.E.; Soyer O.U.; Keskin O.; Uzuner N.; Yazicioglu M.; Kiliç M.; Artaç H.; Ozmen S.; Can D.; Zeyrek D.; Cokugras H.; Canitez Y.; Aydogan M.; Kuyucu S.; Inal A.; Gurkan F.; Orhan F.; Yilmaz O.; Boz A.B.; Tahan F.; Cevit O.
    Introduction: The reliability and validity of Turkish version of Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT). Purpose: The management of asthma is an important as well as difficult issue of physician's daily practice particularly in busy clinical settings. C-ACT was created to identify asthma control levels in children aged 4-11 years. Our aim was to evaluate the reliability, validity and responsiveness of C-ACT in a Turkish sample of children with asthma. Method: In this multicenter study, 368 children were enrolled. C-ACT was completed every month by parents and patients who were evaluated in 3 visits within 2 month intervals. At each visit, physicians interpret the control level and decided for the treatment step as established in GINA guidelines. Results: The internal consistency reliability of the Turkish version of C-ACT (C-ACT1 to C-ACT5) was found to be 0.82, 0.83, 0.82, 0.82 and 0.80, respectively (reliability statistics, Cronbach's alpha). Test-retest reliability was 0.71. There was significant correlation between C-ACT and physician's assessment of asthma control at visit 1 (r = 0.65, P <0.001). Conclusions: Turkish version of C-ACT is an accurate and reliable tool to evaluate asthma control in children aged 4-11 years. Its widespread use may facilitate appropriate assessment of asthma control and may lead to decrease the number of uncontrolled patients. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011.
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    Similar prevalence, different spectrum: IgE-mediated food allergy among Turkish adolescents
    (2013) Mustafayev R.; Civelek E.; Orhan F.; Yüksel H.; Boz A.B.; Şekerel B.E.
    Background: Scarcity of reliable data on food allergy prevalence exists in Turkey. We aimed to assess reported and confirmed IgE-mediated food allergy prevalence, and define the spectrum of allergenic food. Methods: We prospectively evaluated the ISAAC Phase II study population for food allergy. Participants that reported experiencing food allergy symptom in the last year and/or were skin prick test positive for a predefined list of food allergens, were interviewed via telephone, and those considered as having food allergy were invited to undergo clinical investigation, including challenge tests. Results: A total of 6963 questionnaires were available. Parental reported food allergy prevalence and skin prick sensitisation rate were 20.2. ±. 0.9% and 5.9. ±. 0.6%. According to the above-defined criteria, 1162 children (symptom positive n=909, skin prick test positive n=301, both positive n=48) were selected and 813 (70.0%) were interviewed via telephone. Out of 152 adolescents reporting a current complaint, 87 accepted clinical investigation. There were 12 food allergies diagnosed in nine adolescents, with food allergy prevalence of 0.16. ±. 0.11%. The most common foods involved in allergic reactions were walnut (n=3) and beef meat (n=2), followed by hen's egg (n=1), peanut (n=1), spinach (n=1), kiwi (n=1), cheese (n=1), hazelnut (n=1) and peach (n=1). Conclusions: While parental reported food allergy prevalence was within the range reported previously, confirmed IgE-mediated food allergy prevalence among adolescents was at least 0.16%, and the spectrum of foods involved in allergy differed from Western countries, implying environmental factors may play a role. © 2012 SEICAP.