Prevalence of allergies to inhalatory allergens in Northern Croatia

Alergijske bolesti smatraju se bolestima modernog doba jer su veliki javnozdravstveni problem u industrijski razvijenim zemljama, ali i u zemljama u razvoju, posebno u djece i mlađih odraslih osoba. Uzroci porasta alergijskih bolesti još nisu dovoljno objašnjeni, no rizičnim čimbenicima smatraju se nasljedna predispozicija, izloženost alergenima, onečišćenje okoliša, smanjena stimulacija imunološkog sustava u ranim razvojnim stadijima i suvremeni način života. Alergijske bolesti treba tretirati kao općeniti poremećaj zdravlja, te se one mogu javiti u bilo koje doba života, u različitim organima istodobno ili u različitom vremenskom periodu, dugotrajne su i zahtjevaju kompleksnu medicinsku skrb. Značajno utječu na kvalitetu života, i smanjenje radne sposobnosti oboljelih te su veliko socioekonomsko opterećenje za pojedinca i društvo. U radu su teorijski obrađeni pojmovi atopijskih (alergijskih) bolesti, te pojam alergijskog rinitisa koji se smatra najčešćom manifestacijom atopije. Zatim su obrazloženi pojmovi alergije, astme i atopijskog dermatitisa. U radu su opisani načini izvođenja dijagnostičkog PRICK testa te ukazane moguće nuspojave prilikom izvođenja. Pretragom rezultata kliničkih testova ukazano je na najčešće inhalacijske alergene u sjevernom dijelu Republike Hrvatske. Objašnjena je uloga medicinske sestre u edukaciji bolesnika u atopijskim bolestima te su navedene sestrinske dijagnoze. Allergic diseases are considered to be diseases of modern time as they are a great public health problem in developed countries, but also in developing countries, especially among children and young adults. Causes of increase of allergic diseases are still not explained in detail. However, the presumption is that the risk factors are hereditary predisposition, allergen exposure, environmental pollution, decreased stimulation of immune system in early stages of development and modern lifestyle. Allergic diseases should be treated as general health problem disord, and they can appear in any period of life, in different organs at the same time or in different time period. Moreover, their duration is prolonged and they require a complex medical care. They also significantly affect the quality of life, and decrease in work ability of the ill, and they are a great socio-economic burden for the individual and the society. This paper atopic (allergic) diseases are being theoretically explained, mostly allergic rhinitis which is considered to be one of the most common manifestation of atopy. Furthermore, the terms allergy, asthma and atopic dermatitis are being explained. In the paper the way of performing the diagnostic PRICK test is pointed out as well and also the possible side effects during test performance. Statistical analysis of the skin PRICK test pointed out the most common inhalation allergens in the north part of Republic of Croatia. The role of medical nurse in education of the ill about atopic diseases is explained, and the nursing diagnoses are adduced as well.