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Updated: May 7, 2026

Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
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Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

High prevalence of allergy in North Cypriot children

C Dalkan, N Galip, H Tekguc

    Paediatrics and International Child Health
    |October 5, 2013
    PubMed

    Insights

    Asthma and allergy prevalence is extremely high in North Cyprus children aged 7-12. House dust mite sensitization is a significant risk factor for developing childhood asthma.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
    • Epidemiology of Respiratory Diseases
    • Childhood Asthma Research

    Background:

    • The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire has been a global standard for asthma prevalence research since 1991.
    • Standardized tools are crucial for comparing asthma and allergy data across diverse populations.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the prevalence of asthma, allergic diseases, and atopy in schoolchildren in North Cyprus.
    • To establish baseline data for pediatric allergic conditions in the region.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilized the ISAAC questionnaire for data collection from parents of 580 schoolchildren (ages 7-12) in Nicosia.
    • A subgroup of 97 children underwent skin prick testing (SPT) and lung function testing (LFT) for detailed allergic assessment.

    Main Results:

    • Identified high prevalence rates: 20.8% for asthma ever, 10% for current wheezing, and 68% for SPT-positivity.
    • Atopy was significantly more prevalent in the tested subgroup, with house dust mite (HDM) identified as the most common sensitizing allergen.

    Conclusions:

    • North Cyprus exhibits exceptionally high rates of asthma, allergic diseases, and atopic sensitization among children aged 7-12.
    • HDM sensitization emerges as a key risk factor contributing to the development of asthma in this pediatric population.
    Abstract

    Keywords:
    Asthma,Cyprus,ISAAC,Lung function testSkin prick test,Wheezing,

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