The effects of mold sensitivity on the clinical characteristics of adult asthmatic patients

Introduction: The effects of mold sensitivity on the development and course of asthma have been researched previously, although study results vary. We sought to evaluate the characteristics of our mold-sensitive patients in comparison with those of other adult asthmatic patients. Materials and methods: Data were collected retrospectively from adult asthmatic patients who underwent regular follow-ups at our tertiary care outpatient clinic for immunology and allergic diseases. Patients were grouped and compared according to three categories of aeroallergen sensitivity status determined via a skin prick test. The study variables were demographic data, asth-ma-onset age, comorbid conditions, asthma-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations, systemic corticosteroid burst, asthma control assessment tests, and pulmonary function tests. Results: In total, 242 patients’ data were evaluated. Their mean age was 48.6 ± 15.4 years, with female predominance (81.4%). Mold-sensitive asthmatics composed 34.7%, while the aeroallergen-sensitive group without molds (33.1%) and the non-sensitized group (32.2%) composed the rest. The mold-sensitive group had a higher rate of polysensitization (92.8%) than the sensitized group without molds. In multinomial logistic regression analysis, mold sensitivity was positively associated with shorter asthma duration, absence of sinonasal polyposis, presence of allergic rhinitis, and generally well-controlled asthma compared to the non-sensitized group. Also, mold sensitivity was positively associated with shorter asthma duration, drug allergy, and absence of systemic corticosteroid bursts compared to the sensitized group without molds in logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: Our mold-sensitive asthmatic patients demonstrated better asthma symptom control. It should be considered that mold sensitization in adult asthmatics is not always a poor prognostic factor

The effect of mold sensitivity on the clinical characteristics of adult asthmatic patients

CHEST Annual Meeting -- OCT 22-26, 2016 -- Los Angeles, CADursun, A. Berna/0000-0002-6337-6326WOS: 000400118600007PURPOSE: Previous studies have showed the link between the mold sensitivity and asthma severity. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of mold sensitivity on the clinical characteristics of asthmatics. METHODS: The data was collected from patients regularly followed at least 1 year in the asthma center of a tertiary hospital. The mold sensitivity was evaluated by performing a skin prick test (SPT) with Aspergillus, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Penicllium in which the sensitivity to at least one accepted as mold sensitive. Comorbidities, the age at asthma diagnosis, duration of asthma, the numbers of systemic corticosteroid burst (SCB), emergency room (ER) visit and hospitalization were questioned. Asthma control status and pulmonary function test (PFT) were evaluated as a part of the routine procedure.CHES

Validity and reliability of the assessment tool for Asthma (ATA) questionnaire: the ATA study

OBJECTIVES: A multicenter trial was designed to validate the “Assessment Tools for Asthma (ATA)” questionnaire, a newly developed questionnaire, which evaluates both asthma control and risk factors associated with asthma control with a single instrument. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 810 cases from 14 clinics in 9 Turkish cities. The ATA questionnaire and Asthma Control Test (ACT) were administered. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the control status of 100 randomized cases. ATA is an eight-item physician-administered questionnaire. It comprises the following two sections-ATA1, assesses symptomatic control criteria, and the remaining section, queries the flre-up of asthma, control of comorbidities, treatment adherence, and inhaler technique. RESULTS: The mean scores for ATA1, ATA total, VAS, and ACT were 24.7±14.8, 53.8±19, 7.1±3, and 18.8±5.5, respectively. According to the ATA questionnaire, among all patients, 34.3% had controlled, 18.8% had partly controlled, and 46.9% had uncontrolled asthma. Furthermore, 16.6% patients had flre-ups between visits, 96.4% patients had uncontrolled comorbidity, 17% patients had irregular asthma treatment, and only 8.4% patients used the incorrect inhaler technique. The ATA questionnaire showed internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha coeffiient=0.683). ACT, ATA1, and two specialists’ evaluations using VAS correlated strongly with the ATA total scores (Spearman correlation coeffiient (r) values: 0.776, 0.783, and 0.909, respectively; p-values: p<0.001, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). According to Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis, the cut-off value of ATA was 50 (sensitivity=84.4%, specifiity=82.40%). CONCLUSION: The validated ATA questionnaire may be a practical tool for physicians in asthma management

Allopurinol desensitization with A 2 weeks modified protocol in an elderly patients with multiple comorbidities: a case report

Dursun, A. Berna/0000-0002-6337-6326WOS: 000346025100001PubMed: 25685161Background: Allopurinol is an effective urate-lowering drug that is well tolerated by the majority of patients. Patients with chronic renal insufficiency have an increased risk of hypersensitivity reactions with allopurinol. Case presentation: 75 year old male patient with gout, renal insufficiency, history of metastatic colorectal carcinoma status post-resection was referred to Allergy clinic for a maculopapular eruption that developed 1 week after initiating therapy with allopurinol. the rash resolved with discontinuation of allopurinol. However, his serum urate level rose to 19.9 mg/dl. We initially proposed a slow 4 week oral allopurinol desensitization. the treating nephrologist felt it was critical to lower urate more rapidly. As a result, we modified the dose and standard 4 week protocol down to 2 weeks. A suspension of allopurinol was prepared by the allergy nurse practitioner with a 300 mg allopurinol tablet. the sensitization protocol was modified as a starting dose of 0.3 mg escalating to a final dose of 300 mg/day in 2 weeks. There was no reaction during or after the desensitization. the patient's urate level normalized (6.3 mg/dl) and has continued on 300 mg allopurinol daily without reaction. Conclusion: A 2 week modified allopurinol desensitization protocol is a safe alternative for elderly patients with multiple comorbidities

Prevalence of asthmatic smokers: Turkish experience (PASTE Study)

Background: Although both asthma and smoking are major health problems worldwide, smokers are often excluded from asthma studies

Serum Tryptase Concentrations in Patients with Hymenoptera Venom Allergy in Beekeeping Zone

Annual Meeting of the American-Academy-of-Allergy-Asthma-and-Immunology (AAAAI) -- FEB 20-24, 2015 -- Houston, TXDursun, A. Berna/0000-0002-6337-6326WOS: 000361129600686[No abstract available]Amer Acad Allergy, Asthma & Immuno

Prevalence of sensitization to airborne allergens among elderly population

Annual Meeting of the American-Academy-of-Allergy-Asthma-and-Immunology (AAAAI) -- MAR 04-07, 2016 -- Los Angeles, CADursun, A. Berna/0000-0002-6337-6326WOS: 000375005401042RATIONALE: Although the elderly population steadily increasing in all over the world, there is limited data on the prevalence of atopic sensitization in this population. The aim of the study is to investigate the prevalence of atopic sensitization in elderly subjects.Amer Acad Allergy, Asthma & Immuno

Determinants of Placebo Reaction at Oral Provocation Test in Adults

Annual Meeting of the American-Academy-of-Allergy-Asthma-and-Immunology (AAAAI) -- FEB 20-24, 2015 -- Houston, TXDursun, A. Berna/0000-0002-6337-6326WOS: 000361129600379[No abstract available]Amer Acad Allergy, Asthma & Immuno

The effects of mold sensitivity on the clinical characteristics of adult asthmatic patients

WOS: 000531873300002PubMed: 32383460Introduction: the effects of mold sensitivity on the development and course of asthma have been researched previously, although study results vary. We sought to evaluate the characteristics of our mold-sensitive patients in comparison with those of other adult asthmatic patients. Materials and methods: Data were collected retrospectively from adult asthmatic patients who underwent regular follow-ups at our tertiary care outpatient clinic for immunology and allergic diseases. Patients were grouped and compared according to three categories of aeroallergen sensitivity status determined via a skin prick test. the study variables were demographic data, asthma-onset age, comorbid conditions, asthma-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations, systemic corticosteroid burst, asthma control assessment tests, and pulmonary function tests. Results: in total, 242 patients' data were evaluated. Their mean age was 48.6 15.4 years, with female predominance (81.4%). Mold-sensitive asthmatics composed 34.7%, while the aeroallergen-sensitive group without molds (33.1%) and the non-sensitized group (32.2%) composed the rest. the mold-sensitive group had a higher rate of polysensitization (92.8%) than the sensitized group without molds. in multinomial logistic regression analysis, mold sensitivity was positively associated with shorter asthma duration, absence of sinonasal polyposis, presence of allergic rhinitis, and generally well -controlled asthma compared to the non-sensitized group. Also, mold sensitivity was positively associated with shorter asthma duration, drug allergy, and absence of systemic corticosteroid bursts compared to the sensitized group without molds in logistic regression analysis. Conclusion: Our mold-sensitive asthmatic patients demonstrated better asthma symptom control. It should be considered that mold sensitization in adult asthmatics is not always a poor prognostic factor