Prevalence and clinical features of pollen-food allergy syndrome in adults with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

OBJECTIVE: Pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS) is an IgE-mediated allergic reaction to certain foods due to prior sensitization to pollen allergens. The data about the prevalence of PFAS in adults in Turkey is not sufficiently reported. Our objective was to investigate the frequency and clinical features of PFAS in adult patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 222 patients with SAR were enrolled in our outpatient allergy clinic at Hacettepe University, during a ten-month period. A questionnaire was used to evaluate patients and to categorize those who experienced obvious allergy symptoms consistent with PFAS. Atopy was assessed by a standard skin prick test panel including common aeroallergen extracts. RESULTS: Among 222 patients with a diagnosis of SAR, 31 had patient reported PFAS (31/222, 14%). Among them, 23 (74.2%) were females, and their mean age was 32.29±9.24 years. The most common symptoms were isolated oropharyngeal symptoms (58.1%), followed by urticaria (51.6%) after culprit food ingestion. The most frequent culprit foods were eggplant, walnut, kiwi, peach, and melon. The predominant sensitizing aeroallergen was grass pollen. CONCLUSIONS: PFAS can be frequently observed in adults who are followed up for SAR. The most frequently involved foods are eggplant, walnut, kiwi, peach, and melon in Ankara Province. The symptoms of PFAS are usually localized in the oropharyngeal area and are self-limited.

Successful desensitization with chemotherapeutic drugs: a tertiary care center experience.

SUMMARY: Introduction.Hypersensitivity reactions to chemotherapeutic drugs are increasing all over the world, and desensitization to them has become the standard treatment approach. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of chemotherapeutic drug hypersensitivity reactions and the outcome of desensitization procedures. Methods. Between January 2017 and 2019, patients who have been desensitized to chemotherapeutic drugs were included retrospectively. Data were obtained from the medical records of the patients. Results. A total of 35 patients were evaluated; of whom 24 (68.5%) were female and 11 were male (31.5%). The mean age was 54.54 ± 13.39 (min-max: 41-69) years. Colorectal cancer was the most common malignancy (n:14, 40%). Desensitization was performed with oxaliplatin in 17 (48.5%), carboplatin in nine (25.7%), paclitaxel in four (11.4%), cisplatin in two (5.7%), irinotecan in two (5.7%), rituximab in two (5.7%), and docetaxel in one (2.8%) patients. Thirty four (97.1%) were successfully desensitized without any reactions. Anaphylaxis occurred during desensitization with rituximab and the procedure could not be completed. The reactions occurred during the first administration of the chemotherapeutic agent in five (14.2%) patients. Skin tests were performed on 26 (74.2%) patients. Skin prick and intradermal tests were positive in 7 (26.9%) and 12 (46.1%) patients, respectively. Conclusions. Desensitization is an effective and safe treatment approach for chemotherapeutic drug hypersensitivity and can be performed safely by observing general precautions to anaphylaxis.

Drug allergy in tertiary care in Turkey: Results of a national survey. The ADAPT study: Adult drug allergy perception in Turkey

BACKGROUND: No data are available on the incidence of drug hypersensitivity (DH) reactions in outpatient settings of tertiary allergy/immunology clinics. Our aims were to document the frequency of outpatient hospital admissions due to DH reactions to allergy/immunology clinics in adults and the management of these reactions in real life. We also investigated whether drug allergy affected social and medical behaviours of the patients. METHODS: This multi-centre study was performed for one year with the participation of 11 out of 16 tertiary allergy/clinical immunology clinics in Turkey. The study group consisted of the patients with DH reactions. Results of a questionnaire including drug reactions and management were recorded. RESULTS: Among 54,863 patients, 1000 patients with DH were enrolled with a median of 2.1% of all admissions. In real life conditions, the majority of approaches were performed for finding safe alternatives (65.5%; 1102 out of 1683) with 11.7% positivity. Diagnostic procedures were positive in 27% (154/581) of the patients. The majority of the patients had higher VAS scores for anxiety. A total of 250 subjects (25%) reported that they delayed some medical procedures because of DH. CONCLUSION: Our results documented the frequency of admissions due to DH reactions to allergy/clinical immunology clinics for the first time. Although physicians mostly preferred to perform drug tests in order to find safe alternatives, considering the fact that DH was confirmed in 27% of the patients, use of diagnostic tests should be encouraged, if no contraindication exists in order to avoid mislabelling patients as DH

No disponible

Drug allergy in tertiary care in Turkey: results of a national survey. The ADAPT study: adult drug allergy perception in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: No data are available on the incidence of drug hypersensitivity (DH) reactions in outpatient settings of tertiary allergy/immunology clinics. Our aims were to document the frequency of outpatient hospital admissions due to DH reactions to allergy/immunology clinics in adults and the management of these reactions in real life. We also investigated whether drug allergy affected social and medical behaviours of the patients. METHODS: This multi-centre study was performed for one year with the participation of 11 out of 16 tertiary allergy/clinical immunology clinics in Turkey. The study group consisted of the patients with DH reactions. Results of a questionnaire including drug reactions and management were recorded. RESULTS: Among 54,863 patients, 1000 patients with DH were enrolled with a median of 2.1% of all admissions. In real life conditions, the majority of approaches were performed for finding safe alternatives (65.5%; 1102 out of 1683) with 11.7% positivity. Diagnostic procedures were positive in 27% (154/581) of the patients. The majority of the patients had higher VAS scores for anxiety. A total of 250 subjects (25%) reported that they delayed some medical procedures because of DH. CONCLUSION: Our results documented the frequency of admissions due to DH reactions to allergy/clinical immunology clinics for the first time. Although physicians mostly preferred to perform drug tests in order to find safe alternatives, considering the fact that DH was confirmed in 27% of the patients, use of diagnostic tests should be encouraged, if no contraindication exists in order to avoid mislabelling patients as DH.

Does nasal hair (vibrissae) density affect the risk of developing asthma in patients with seasonal rhinitis?

BACKGROUND: Large particles entering the nose are collected by nasal hair present in the anterior nares. Increased hair density provides an improvement in the filtering efficiency of the nose, while reduced amounts of nasal hair cause a decrease in its efficiency. The amount of nasal hair can vary between individuals, which can make a difference in the filtering efficiency of the nose. Reduced filter function of the nose leads to increased exposure of the airways to allergens. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of nasal hair density on the risk of developing asthma in seasonal rhinitis (SR) patients. METHODS: A standard questionnaire was filled in, and physical examination and allergy tests were performed in 233 patients. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the amount of nasal hair [few (few or none), moderate and many]. The association between asthma and nasal hair density was assessed. RESULTS: Asthma was detected in 75 patients (32.2%), and of these, 45 (60%) also had pollen asthma. The rate of asthma was 44.7, 26.2 and 16.7% in the few, moderate and many groups, respectively (p = 0.002). Few nasal hairs significantly increased the risk of developing asthma [odds ratio (95% confidence interval): few, reference; moderate, 0.41 (0.21-0.78); many, 0.19 (0.06-0.55); p = 0.002]. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the amount of nasal hair providing a nose filtration function has a protective effect on the risk of developing asthma in SR patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on this subject in the literature.