Abstract
OBJECTIVE
The clinical definition of AR is difficult to use in the epidemiologic settings of large populations where it is impossible to obtain the laboratory evidence of each immune response. However, the standardization of the definition of AR in epidemiologic studies is of crucial importance. The main objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in adult population by using The Score for Allergic Rhinitis (SFAR) questionnaire and to explore the relations to age, gender, and other epidemiological features with respect to all seven distinct geographical regions in Turkey.
METHOD
This prospective study was conducted between February 2008 and December 2009. Overall, 3926 Caucasian inhabitants in 38 centers from the seven main different regions of Turkey, that presumably represent the whole Turkish population in terms of living conditions and geographic background, were enrolled. The main symptoms of AR are blocked nose, runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes as investigated in SFAR questionnaire which was validated by Annesi-Maesano in 2002. The Turkish version of the questionnaire was tested for clarity and sensitivity in a small sample of the general population. Sample size for the study was calculated by allowing for 2% error in prevalence with 95% confidence interval (CI). The number of people for each region was calculated by using stratified sampling technique. The minimum sample size required was calculated to be 3926 individuals. The statistical significance of the cross tabulations was evaluated using Pearson's χ2 tests. The mean ages of patients in different regions were evaluated using “Analysis of variance (ANOVA test)” and Tukey post hoc test. P values less than or equal to 0.05 were considered as statistically significant.
RESULTS
Among the interviewed subjects, the overall prevalence of AR was 29.6%, with regional variations (from 21.0% in Southeast Anatolia Region to 36.1% in the Marmara Region). The prevalence was higher in women than in men (34.6% vs. 30.5% p = 0.006) and in rural area of residence than in urban (35.0% vs. 32.2% p = 0.293).
CONCLUSION
This national survey confirmed the elevated prevalence of allergic rhinitis in Turkey. Our findings may contribute to the formulation of the public health policy and development of preventive and therapeutic strategies for allergic rhinitis in Eastern Europe.