Evaluation of the prick test results of patients with allergic rhinitis in Van province

INTRODUCTION: This study was carried out to detect allergen distribution of the patients admitted with allergic rhinitis symptoms and to determine the age, gender distribution and smoking rates in allergic patients, and to contribute to compose an allergy map in Van region. METHODS: 220 patients allergic to at least one allergen according to prick test results were included between May 2014- December 2015. RESULTS: 59.1% (n=130) of 220 patients were male and 40.9% (n=90) were female. Male/female ratio was 3: 2. Prevalence of smokers were 31.1% (n=28) among females and 40.7% (n=53) among males. According to prick test results; sensitivity to meadow was 20% (n=44), to mixed herbs 16.3% (n=36), to mites 13.6% (n=30), to flower mixture 10% (n=22), to egg yolk 9.1% (n=20), to cat 8.2% (n=18), to Aspergillus 7.3% (n=16), to peanut 7.3% (n=16), to tomato 1.8% (n= 4), to almond 1.8% (n=4), to Alternaria 1.8% (n=4), to Clasdioporum 1.3% (n=3), to egg white 1.3% (n= 3). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Among 220 patients according to prick test, male predominance was detected and smoking prevalence was between 30% - 40%. In our study, the most common susceptibility was detected against meadow, secondly against mixed herbs and thirdly against house mites. Also, nutritional allergens (egg yolk, peanut, tomato, almond and egg white) were important factors with 21% frequency in Van region. Determination of herbal allergens and mites on the first ranks, although different climate and environmental status of Van, was parallel to the other studies in the literature

Long Term Effects of Tear Gases on Respiratory System: Analysis of 93 Cases

Aim. This study aimed to assess the long-term respiratory effects of tear gases among the subjects with history of frequent exposure. Materials and Methods. A questionnaire by NIOSH and pulmonary function tests was performed in 93 males exposed to the tear gases frequently and 55 nonexposed subjects. Results. The mean numbers of total exposure and last 2 years exposure were 8.4±6.4 times, 5.6±5.8 times, respectively. Tear gas exposed subjects were presented with a higher rate for cough and phlegm more than 3 months (24.7% versus 11.3%, P>0.05). Mean FEV1/FVC and % predicted MMFR in smoker exposed subjects are significantly lower than those in smoker controls (81.7% versus 84.1%, P=0.046 and 89.9% versus 109.6%, P=0.0004, resp.). % predicted MMFR in nonsmoker exposed subjects is significantly lower than that in nonsmoker controls (99.4% versus 113.1%, P=0.05). Odds ratios for chest tightness, exercise dyspnea, dyspnea on level ground, winter morning cough, phlegm, and daily phlegm were increased almost 2 to 2.5 folds among tear gas exposed subjects. Conclusion. The rates for respiratory complaints were high in the case of the exposure to the tear gases previously. Tears gas exposed subjects were found to be under the risk for chronic bronchitis

The long term influence of tear gases on human's respiratory system

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