Prevalence of Asthma and Allergic Diseases in School Children in Isparta City Centre

The aim of the ISAAC Phase 1 study is to determine the prevalence and severity of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis among children living in different regions, and to facilitate comparisons both within the country and internationally. This study, employing standard ISAAC Phase 1 methodologies, was conducted in Isparta to identify the prevalence of allergic diseases and potential risk factors in school children aged 6-7 and 13-14 years. Considering the potential non-return or invalidation of some surveys distributed for the study, questionnaires were distributed to 1,100 students across 10 schools in the city center, resulting in the collection of 926 completed surveys. Of these, 406 surveys were collected from the age group of 6-7 years and 520 from the age group of 13-14 years, both of which were included in the statistical analysis. A total of 926 patients diagnosed with allergies were included in the study, with 49.8% being female and 50.2% male. Patients were categorized into two distinct age groups: 6-7 years and 13-14 years. The proportion of the 13-14 age group was slightly higher at 56.2%. Among the 406 children aged 6-7, 48% were female and 52% were male, resulting in a male-to-female ratio of 1.08. In the 13-14 age group of 520 children, 51% were female and 49% were male, yielding a male-to-female ratio of 0.95. No significant differences were observed in the rates of asthma diagnoses across the different age groups throughout their lifetimes.In the 6-7 age group, the percentage of patients diagnosed was 20.2%, while in the 13-14 age group, it was found to be 18.8%. In the past year, the rate of diagnosis for asthma was higher in the 13-14 age group (13.1%), but this was not statistically significant. The occurrence of asthma attacks was significantly higher in the 13-14 age group for those with four or more attacks (p<0.001). Nighttime awakenings due to wheezing were more prevalent in the 13-14 age group, with the difference between age groups nearing significance. Wheezy speech was significantly higher in the 13-14 age group (p=0.003). The proportion of patients receiving a doctor's diagnosis was significantly higher in the 13-14 age group (p=0.013). Additionally, the rates of wheezing during exercise (14.4%) and dry cough (41.2%) were significantly higher in this age group. When the characteristics of patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis were compared by age groups, all features showed significant differences except for the rate of obtaining a physician's diagnosis (p<0.001). The proportion of patients diagnosed with rhinitis throughout their lives and in the last 12 months was found to be significantly higher in the 13-14 age group. Eye itching was observed at a higher rate among patients in the 13-14 age group. The months when allergic rhinitis (AR) was observed were identified as January, May, and September for both age groups. However, in each month group, the observation rates of AR were higher in the 13-14 age group. The prevalence of moderate to severe impacts on daily activities due to AR was also higher in the 13-14 age group. In general, the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis and the associated features did not show significant differences across age groups. Only nighttime awakenings due to atopic dermatitis were reported at a higher rate in a small number of patients in the 13-14 age group, while multiple awakenings were observed more frequently in the 6-7 age group (p=0.005). Eczema was noted more frequently in the 13-14 age group, while rashes on the elbows and neck were more prevalent in this group, and rashes on the knees, eyes, feet, and ears were more common in the 6-7 age group. Although the rate of eczema was higher in the 13-14 age group, no statistically significant differences were found. Throughout life, the frequency of co-occurrence of Wheeze, Allergic Rhinitis (AR), and Atopic Dermatitis (AD) was observed at rates of n=7 (1.72%) for the 6-7 age group and n=14 (2.69%) for the 13-14 age group. The prevalence of allergic diseases was found to be high compared to epidemiological studies reported from other regions of Turkey. There was a notable presence of comorbidity among allergic diseases and a high genetic predisposition. Based on these results, measures can be taken to address health issues related to allergic diseases in Aydın province, and this also sets a foundation for future studies aimed at identifying potential etiological factors.