PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF ASTHMA, ALLERGIC RHINITIS AND ECZEMA IN TURKISH CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Öz

Abstract Background: Asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema are among the most common chronic diseases of childhood, and their prevalence varies across regions. Understanding the distribution of these conditions in Türkiye is essential for effective pediatric health planning, particularly in light of environmental and lifestyle changes observed over the past decade. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of allergic diseases and associated risk factors among 6–7 and 13–14-year-old schoolchildren in Balıkesir, located in Western Türkiye, and to compare the findings with recent national data. Methods: The study was conducted in 2013 using a cross-sectional survey design based on the validated Turkish version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase I questionnaire. A total of 3,647 students were selected from 26 schools through a stratified cluster sampling method according to socioeconomic status. Results: In the 6–7 and 13–14 age groups, lifetime wheezing prevalence was 31.5% and 19.3%, 12-month wheezing prevalence was 19.8% and 12.8%, and physician-diagnosed asthma was 11.1% and 7.1%, respectively. Lifetime rhinitis prevalence was 37.1% and 35.7%, physician-diagnosed allergic rhinitis was 15.4% and 14.8%, and physician-diagnosed atopic dermatitis was 8.8% and 6.7%, respectively. A family history of allergy, low socioeconomic status, and environmental exposures were identified as significant associated factors. Conclusion: The prevalence of allergic diseases in Balıkesir was found to be higher than in earlier Turkish ISAAC studies and remained comparable to national surveys conducted in the last decade. These findings highlight the ongoing burden of pediatric allergic diseases in Türkiye and emphasize the need for early diagnosis, prevention, and follow-up strategies tailored to regional characteristics. Keywords: Asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, prevalence, pediatric allergies, schoolchildren, Türkiye, ISAAC

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Asthma
• allergic rhinitis
• eczema
• prevalence
• pediatric allergies
• schoolchildren
• Türkiye
• ISAAC

Destekleyen Kurum

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Etik Beyan

The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, and ethical approval was obtained from the Balıkesir University Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Approval No: 2013/122009280)

Teşekkür

We thank all Children And Adolescents who participated in the research.

TÜRK ÇOCUK VE ERGENLERDE ASTIM, ALERJİK RİNİT VE EGZAMA PREVALANSI VE İLİŞKİLİ FAKTÖRLER

Öz

Arka Plan: Astım, allerjik rinit ve egzama, çocukluk çağının en yaygın kronik hastalıkları arasında yer almakta olup, prevalansları bölgesel farklılıklar göstermektedir. Türkiye’de bu hastalıkların dağılımının anlaşılması, özellikle son on yılda gözlenen çevresel ve yaşam tarzı değişiklikleri ışığında, etkili pediatrik sağlık planlaması için önemlidir. Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, Batı Türkiye’de yer alan Balıkesir ilinde 6–7 ve 13–14 yaşlarındaki okul çocuklarında allerjik hastalıkların prevalansını ve ilişkili risk faktörlerini belirlemek ve bulguları son ulusal verilerle karşılaştırmaktır. Yöntemler: Çalışma, 2013 yılında Uluslararası Çocuklarda Astım ve Allerji Çalışması (ISAAC) Faz I anketinin geçerli Türkçe versiyonu kullanılarak kesitsel bir anket yöntemiyle yürütülmüştür. Toplam 3.647 öğrenci, sosyoekonomik duruma göre katmanlı küme örnekleme yöntemi ile 26 okuldan seçilmiştir. Bulgular: 6–7 ve 13–14 yaş gruplarında, yaşam boyu hışıltı prevalansı sırasıyla %31,5 ve %19,3; son 12 ayda hışıltı %19,8 ve %12,8; hekim tanılı astım ise %11,1 ve %7,1 olarak saptanmıştır. Yaşam boyu rinit %37,1 ve %35,7; hekim tanılı allerjik rinit %15,4 ve %14,8; hekim tanılı atopik dermatit ise %8,8 ve %6,7 bulunmuştur. Ailede alerji öyküsü, düşük sosyoekonomik durum ve çevresel maruziyetler önemli ilişkili faktörler olarak belirlenmiştir. Sonuç: Balıkesir ilindeki allerjik hastalık prevalansı, daha önceki Türk ISAAC çalışmaları ile kıyaslandığında daha yüksek bulunmuş ve son on yıl içinde yapılan ulusal anketlerle benzer düzeyde kalmıştır. Bu bulgular, Türkiye’de pediatrik allerjik hastalıkların devam eden yükünü göstermekte ve bölgesel özelliklere uygun erken tanı, önleme ve izlem stratejilerinin önemini vurgulamaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Astım
• allerjik rinit
• egzama
• prevalans
• pediatrik alerjiler
• okul çocukları
• Türkiye
• ISAAC

Destekleyen Kurum

Bu araştırma, kamu, ticari veya kar amacı gütmeyen sektörlerdeki fon sağlayıcı kuruluşlardan herhangi bir özel destek almamıştır.

Etik Beyan

Çalışma, Helsinki Deklarasyonu'nun ilkelerine uygun olarak yürütülmüş olup Balıkesir Üniversitesi Klinik Araştırmalar Etik Kurulu’ndan etik onay alınmıştır (Onay No: 2013/122009280).

Teşekkür

Araştırmaya katılan tüm çocuklar ve ergenlere teşekkür ederiz.

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