Retrospective investigation of demographic characteristics, laboratory data and clinical course of cases followed with the diagnosis of cat allergy

In the study aiming to investigate the demographic characteristics, laboratory data and clinical course of patients diagnosed with cat allergy, 392 pediatric patients who were admitted to the paediatric allergy and immunology outpatient clinic between 1 August 2021 and 31 December 2023 and who were diagnosed with cat sensitivity were examined. The proportion of male patients was 51.3%, the proportion of female patients was 48.7%, and the median age was calculated as 9 years. The rate of cat allergy in the presence of atopic disease or asthma in the family was found to be 9.2%. 97.7% of the patients lived in the city. Of the patients with cat sensitisation, 22.2% had a cat at home. Allergic symptoms were observed in 73.5% of the patients after exposure to cats. A.rhinoconjunctivitis (48.6%), urticaria (8.7%), asthma/allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (19.8%), urticaria/allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (6.9%) and anaphylaxis in 11 patients were observed. The duration of cat ownership mean was 3.06 years in patients with asthma, 3.1 years in patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and 3.6 years in patients with urticaria. The patients underwent 3771 DPTs and 338 (86%) had cat sensitisation on skin prick test, while 128 (32%) had only cat sensitisation. Other patients had additional aeroallergen sensitisation. The median skin prick test size was 5 mm in the cat allergy positive group. The median spesific IgE value measured in patients with cat allergy was 8.8 kU/L. Total IgE and eosinophil count were not significantly different in cat allergic patients. ROC analysis was performed for the induration diameter in the skin prick test. As a result of the analysis, when the AUC value of 0.634 was determined as the maximum value of the sum of specificity and sensitivity, the cut-off value was determined as 3.75 mm. Accordingly, sensitivity and specificity were calculated as 82.4% and 37.6%, respectively. ROC analysis was applied for specific IgE. As a result of the analysis, when the AUC value was determined as 0.713 at a good level, the cut-off value was found as 2.345 IU/L the sensitivity was 77.6% and the specificity was 60%. In our study, as a result, an increase in cat sensitisation was observed in situations that increased cat contact. Approximately three fourth of the patients with cat sensitisation were symptomatic. Although allergic rhinitis was the most common symptom after cat exposure, anaphylaxis was also observed. A family history of asthma and atopy was seen as a risk factor for cat allergy. Detailed anamnesis, physical examination and the use of allergy diagnostic tests are important in the diagnosis of cat allergy. More comprehensive studies on cat sensitisation are needed.