Determination of allergen diversity in patients with type 1 hypersensitivity (asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, angioedema) and evaluation of its relationship with demographic data

ABSTRACT Objective: Allergen sensitivities vary according to geographic regions, environmental conditions, and demographic characteristics. This study aims to determine allergen profiles in the Balıkesir region, contributing to diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive strategies for allergic diseases. Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted from January 2019 to September 2024, including 260 patients aged 0-18 years diagnosed with atopic allergic diseases. Demographic data, allergic conditions, skin prick test results, serum total IgE, and eosinophil levels were evaluated retrospectively. Results: The participants consisted of 39.23% females and 60.77% males. Patients were grouped according to age, with 0-5, 6-12, and above 12 years of age groups established. Among the participants, 50% were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis (AR), 36.54% with allergic asthma, 15% with atopic dermatitis (AD), 66.92% with allergic urticaria, and 0.38% with angioedema. Passive smoking exposure was reported in 61.92% of patients, and familial history of atopy was present in 46.92%. Skin prick tests revealed sensitivities of 53.85% to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, 53.08% to Dermatophagoides farinae, 33.85% to a mixture of five grasses, 20.38% to olive pollen, and 17.69% to cat epithelium. Patients with an AR diagnosis had significantly higher mean IgE levels (367.14±415.9 IU/ml), patients with allergic asthma had mean levels of 430.97±608.6 IU/ml, and those with AD had mean IgE levels of 356.98±635.2 IU/ml. There was no statistically significant difference in IgE levels between patients with or without allergic asthma; however, patients diagnosed with AD demonstrated significantly higher IgE levels. Conclusion: House dust mites, particularly D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae, are the most prevalent allergens in children diagnosed with type 1 hypersensitivity in Balıkesir. Passive smoking and familial atopy represent significant risk factors. These findings emphasize the importance of environmental measures and may enhance clinical practice in diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up strategies for allergic diseases in this region. Keywords: Type 1 hypersensitivity, allergen, IgE, allergic rhinitis, asthma, atopic dermatitis.