Evaluation of Allergen Sensitization in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis and/or Asthma in Tekirdag

Aim: Allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma are the most prevalent allergic diseases, and environmental allergens are important factors in the pathogenesis and the exacerbation of these diseases. Although there are many studies investigating aeroallergen sensitivities in different regions of our country, this study aimed to identify the aeroallergen sensitization in the Tekirdag province in the part of Turkey in Europe, namely Thrace, where it is important to know aeroallergen sensitivities. Materials and Methods: Four hundred and sixty children with asthma and AR who were followed up and had at least one aeroallergen sensitivity in a skin prick test (SPT) were retrospectively evaluated. All patients had undergone a SPT using the standard extracts, including house dust mites, molds, animal dander, pollens, and latex. Results: The mean age of the patients was 10.2 +/- 3.4 (5-18) years, 57.6% of them were male. The diagnoses of the patients were AR in 57.8%, asthma in 22.6% and both in 19.6%. 42.6% (n=196) of the patients were sensitized to more than one allergen. The most common aeroallergens in SPT were house dust mites (63%), grass-rye mix (26.5%), grass mix (26.1%), molds (19.8%), cat epithelium (11.3%), cockroach (8.5%), weed mix (7%), olive tree (7%), dog (5.7%), cupressus (4.3%), tree pollen mix (3.5%), poplar (1.5%), mugwort (1.3%), and latex (0.4%). Although the cockroach, pet, olive tree and multiple allergen sensitivities were more frequent among male children (p<0.05), there was no association between gender and sensitivity to the other allergens. There was no difference between the aeroallergen distributions of the patients according to diagnoses (p>0.05). House dust mites were the most common allergens throughout all seasons. Conclusion: The results of this study will be important in guiding elimination measures against the triggering allergens which are important for the treatment and the course of the disease of the those patients with asthma and/or AR in this region.