Browsing by Author "Civelek E."

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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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    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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    Prevalence, burden, and risk factors of atopic eczema in schoolchildren aged 10-11 years: A national multicenter study
    (2011) Civelek E.; Şahiner U.; Yüksel H.; Boz A.; Orhan F.; Üner A.; Çakir B.; Şekerel B.E.
    Background: Little is known about the epidemiology of atopic eczema (AE), and studies from the Mediterranean region and the Middle East are limited. Objective: We investigated the frequency, burden, and risk factors of AE in a developing country. Methods: The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood Phase II questionnaire was used to survey a representative sample of 10 to 11-year-old children in Turkey. Children were examined by allergists, and parents completed standardized questionnaires. Results: Among 6755 children, the prevalence of having eczema during one's lifetime or currently was 17.1% and 8.1%, respectively. The prevalence of visits to the doctor, nocturnal awakening, school absenteeism, and drug usage was 36.3%, 56%, 9.7%, and 28.7%, respectively. Associated factors were current rhinoconjunctivitis (odds ratio [OR], 2.53; 95% confi dence interval [CI], 1.99-3.21), current wheezing (OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.58-2.79), family history of allergic disease (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.21-2.18), low birth weight (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.08-2.94), and exposure to animals in the fi rst year of life (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.06-2.03). Conclusions: In a developing Mediterranean country, the prevalence of AE is comparable to that of developed countries in the same region and lower than that observed in developed countries elsewhere. The course of the disease and risk factors of AE probably differ in developing countries.© 2011 Esmon Publicidad.
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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.