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National data on asthma characteristics and the factors associated with uncontrolled asthma seem to be necessary for every country. For this purpose, we developed the Turkish Adult Asthma Registry for patients with asthma aiming to take a snapshot of our patients, thereby assigning the unmet needs and niche areas of intervention. Case entries were performed between March 2018 and March 2022. A web-based application was used to record data. Study outcomes were demographic features, disease characteristics, asthma control levels, and phenotypes. The registry included 2053 patients from 36 study centers in Turkey. Female subjects dominated the group (n = 1535, 74.8%). The majority of the patients had allergic (n = 1158, 65.3%) and eosinophilic (n = 1174, 57.2%) asthma. Six hundred nineteen (32.2%) of the patients had obese asthma. Severe asthma existed in 670 (32.6%) patients. Majority of cases were on step 3–5 treatment (n: 1525; 88.1%). Uncontrolled asthma was associated with low educational level, severe asthma attacks in the last year, low FEV1, existence of chronic rhinosinusitis and living in particular regions. The picture of this registry showed a dominancy of middle-aged obese women with moderate-to-severe asthma. We also determined particular strategic targets such as low educational level, severe asthma attacks, low FEV1, and chronic rhinosinusitis to decrease uncontrolled asthma in our country. Moreover, some regional strategies may also be needed as uncontrolled asthma is higher in certain regions. We believe that these data will guide authorities to reestablish national asthma programs to improve asthma service delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction:It was aimed to investigate the sensitivity rates against tree pollen allergens and various factors affecting tree pollen sensitivity in children with allergic asthma. Materials and Methods: 560 children aged 5-18 years with a diagnosis of allergic asthma were included in the study. Clinical, laboratory, and skin test data of the cases were analyzed retrospectively. Results: In skin prick tests of the cases included in the study, the rate of general sensitivity to tree pollen allergens [presence of sensitivity to at least one of Olea europeae (olive), Alnus glutinosa (alder), Platanus acerifolia (plane), Corylus avellena (hazel), Betula verrucosa (birch), Pinus silvestris (pine)] was found to be 17.7%. Other allergen sensitivities; mites 75.0%, grass pollen 47.3%, grain pollen 39.5%, weed pollen 18.4%, cat and/or dog 13.4%, fungi 12.9%, cockroach 6.1% was determined. It was found that the general sensitivity rates to tree pollen allergens were in the 5-8 age group (9.5%), the 9-13 age group (20.7%), the 14- 18 age group (28.8%) and increased in parallel with age (p<0,001). Tree pollen sensitivity was found to be higher in the presence of concomitant allergic rhinitis or allergic conjunctivitis (p=0.019, p=0.002, respectively), and lower in the presence of mite sensitivity (p<0.001). Conclusions: In this study, tree pollen sensitivity rates were remarkable in children aged 5-18 years with allergic asthma. The data on tree pollen and other allergen sensitivities obtained from children with allergic asthma should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment approaches of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: International guidelines in asthma and allergy has been updated for COVID-19 pandemic and pandemic has caused dramatic changes in allergy and immunology services. However, it is not known whether specialty-specific recommendations for COVID-19 are followed by allergists. Objectives: By conducting this study, we aimed to determine the attitudes and experiences of adult/pediatric allergists on allergy management during COVID-19. Method: We used a 20-question survey to elicit data from allergists (residents and pediatric and adult allergists registered to the Turkish National Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology) across Turkey via e-mail. We analyzed the data statistically for frequency distributions and descriptive analysis. Results: A total of 183 allergists participated in the survey. Telemedicine was used for management of asthma (73%), allergic rhinitis (53%), atopic dermatitis (51%), chronic urticaria/angioedema (59%), drug hypersensitivity (45%), food allergy (48%), venom allergy (30%), anaphylaxis (22%), and hereditary angioedema (28%). Thirty-one percent of the respondents discontinued subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thirty-four percent of the physicians reported interruption of systemic steroid use in asthma patients, and 25% of the respondents discontinued biological therapy. Conclusions: Allergists in Turkey have been using telemedicine at a high rate during the COVID-19 pandemic for asthma and rhinitis. The continuation rate of SCIT was low while the discontinuation rate of biologicals and systemic steroid use in asthma was high in Turkey.Our study results and learning from the experiences of other countries and specialties may help to optimize allergy practice and compatibility with international guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To the best of our knowledge, there is no prediction tool for determining respiratory allergy in patients with asthma and/or rhinitis. Objectives: As such, this study aimed to develop an instrument for identifying skin prick test (SPT)‐negative patients with asthma and/or rhinitis. Methods: This cross‐sectional study screened 510 consecutive patients diagnosed with asthma and/or rhinitis between November 2009 and May 2011 in Ankara, Turkey. A structured questionnaire was the screening tool that was administered during the initial visit by the treating specialist and compared with a SPT result. All 15 variables were analysed using the logistic regression model to obtain β values (a score) for each variable. Each variable had a score, and scores were summed up to obtain final score for each patient. Results: The study included 363 patients, of which 165 (45.5%) were SPT positive. The final model included 13 variables. The lowest and highest scores were −21 and 26. A total score of 5.5 had sensitivity of 63% and specificity of 80%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.78. The histogram of the total scores for the study population was bimodal. Conclusions: We designed a highly specific 13‐item instrument for identifying SPT‐negative patients. It may be used in middle income countries where allergy testing is expensive, not reimbursed or few allergy clinics are available. We think that our idea is interesting, that needs further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Omalizumab is a monoclonal antibody that is used as add-on therapy for treating moderate-to-severe persistant atopic asthma in patients with persistant symptoms and frequent exacerbations, despite step 4 treatment according to GINA guidelines. Real-life studies on omalizumab treatment are limited in Turkey. Thus, the present study aims to assess the clinical efficacy and treatment outcomes of omalizumab in patients with atopic severe persistant asthma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with atopic severe persistant asthma who were treated with omalizumab between 2009 and 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. Baseline and last results of the following variables were compared: symptom scores (GINA categorical), controller medications, blood eosinophil counts, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) values, and the number of exacerbations that were treated with systemic corticosteroids for at least 3 days within the last 1 year. The effect of coexisting aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) on these parameters was also analyzed. Step-down of other asthma medications was attempted in patients with symptom control and in those without an exacerbation history within the last 6 months. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients (mean age, 50 years; females, 30) were included in this study, of whom four showed AERD. After treating with a mean time of 30±22.1 (min: 6, max: 92) months, 26 (68%) patients showed complete controlled disease and 12 (32%) showed partly controlled disease, of whom all had uncontrolled disease before. Mean exacerbation rates within the last 1 year decreased by approximately 76% (9.4±8.4 vs. 1.8±1.5; p<0.001) and FEV1 values increased by approximately 14% (2075±729 vs. 2321±800 cc; p=0.001) compared with baseline levels. Although the reduction in eosinophil count was not significant in all patients (503.8±524.8 vs. 370.8±314.5; p=0.134), repeated measures analysis of variance revealed a more prominent reduction in eosinophil count in the AERD group than in the non-AERD group, independent from the treatment period (F: 4.23, p=0.049). The mean inhaled corticosteroid dose (budesonide eq., 1063±397 vs. 958±439 mcg; p=0.084), the number of other controller medications, and the number of patients with long-term systemic steroid use decreased after omalizumab treatment. No serious adverse events were recorded during the follow-up CONCLUSION: Our results confirm that omalizumab significantly improves disease control and is a safe add-on therapy. In addition, in suitable patients with controlled disease over time, the step-down of other asthma medications will be appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bifidobacteria are beneficial bacteria for humans. These bacteria are particularly effective at protecting against infectious diseases and modulating the immune response. It was shown that in newborns, the fecal distribution of the colonizing Bifidobacterium species influences the prevalence of allergic diseases. This study aimed to compare the faecal Bifidobacterium species of allergic children to those of healthy children to detect species level differences in faecal distribution. Stool samples were obtained from 99 children between 0 and 3 years of age whose clinical symptoms and laboratory reports were compatible with atopic dermatitis and allergic asthma. Samples were also obtained from 102 healthy children who were similar to the case group with respect to age and sex. Bifidobacteria were isolated by culture and identified at the genus level by API 20 A. In addition, 7 unique species-specific primers were used for the molecular characterization of bifidobacteria. The McNemar test was used for statistical analyses, and p < 0.05 was accepted as significant. Bifidobacterium longum was detected in 11 (11.1%) of the allergic children and in 31 (30.3%) of the healthy children. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in the prevalence of B. longum between these two groups (X²: 11.2, p < 0.001). However, no significant differences in the prevalence of other Bifidobacterium species were found between faecal samples from healthy and allergic children. (p > 0.05). The significant difference in the isolation of B. longum from our study groups suggests that this species favors the host by preventing the development of asthma and allergic dermatitis. Based on these results, we propose that the production of probiotics in accordance with country-specific Bifidobacterium species densities would improve public health. Thus, country-specific prospective case-control studies that collect broad data sets are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Allergic asthma and rhinitis are the common allegic diseases. Allergen dispersion changes according to region, elevation, humidity and flora. The aim of study was to determine allergen sensitivity in children referred to the hospital with allergic asthma and rhinitis in Karaman region. Material and Methods: Allergy test evaluation forms and test results of 170 children patients aged between 3-14 (77 girls, 93 boys) who were referred to the Selçuklu Medical Center with allergic asthma or rhinitis were applied. Results: At least one allergen sensitization was found in 72 of 170 patients (%42.3). The most frequent sensitization group was found againts wild grass with the result of 45 people (%26.4). Allergen sensitization was found in tree pollens 24 (%14.1), house dust mite 24 (%14.1), epithelium and feathers 18 (%10.5), food 10 (%5.8), fungus pollen 8 ( %4.7). Conclusion: In Karaman region the most frequent allergen sensitivity was against wild grass pollen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the mouse/rat sensitivity among atopic patients living in Izmir, Turkey. Effects of the exposure of mouse and rat epithelia in allergic diseases; Detection of the allergens using prick method in patients with allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma; Causative factor for the increased asthma morbidity in inner cities.

Background: The aim of the present study is to determine the prevalence of allergic diseases and related risk factors in Izmir, Turkey, and to assess the positive immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels against common allergens., Methods: The questionnaires were completed via face-to-face interview with a total of 2937 individuals. Specific IgE was studied in the serum samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This cross-sectional population-based study comprised adolescents over the age of 15 years and adults of Izmir province., Results: In Izmir, the prevalence of self-reported allergy was 35.5%. Allergy was statistically significantly more common in females, university graduates, in those with high income, with family history for allergy, aged 40-49 years, those living in a flat, keeping pet(s), and in those using central heating. The prevalence of atopy according to the serum IgE levels (Class 3 with any of 3 IgEs) was found 1.6%., Conclusion: In conclusion, the prevalence of atopy was found lower in Izmir as compared to the results of other studies., (© 2014 ARS-AAOA, LLC.)

Background: Storage mites (SMs) occur in house-dust and the rate of sensitisation to them is high. We aimed to investigate if past and current living conditions are associated with the risk of SM sensitisation., Methods: In total, 321 patients (70% females) aged 33.6 ± 11.9 years (range: 14-68 years) were studied at our allergy unit between September 2009 and December 2010. Patients with persistent or intermittent rhinitis and/or asthma were included in the study. Skin prick tests (SPTs) for SMs (Lepidoglyphus destructor, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, and Acarus siro) and other common aeroallergens were performed. Demographic data and characteristics of the patients' homes were assessed via a questionnaire., Results: In all, 102 (31.8%) patients were sensitised to ≥ 1 SM, of whom 43.1% were also sensitised to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Comparison between the SPT-negative group (n = 129) and the SM-positive only group (n = 33) showed that having lived in a village during the first years of life was associated with SM sensitisation. Current place of residence was not significantly associated with any of the study variables., Conclusions: Living conditions have been changing and SM sensitisation may be associated with a history of village residence. The high rate of SM sensitisation observed in the study population might indicate the necessity of including those mite species in SPT panels, but the clinical relevance of sensitisation remains unclear. The clinical importance of SM sensitisation in urban areas should be investigated further., (Copyright © 2012 SEICAP. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)