Vol.23 No.2

Original Article

Prevalence of atopic disorders in rheumatic diseases

Authors

Saliha Karatay1 , Kadir Yildirim1 , Mahir Ugur1 , Kazim Senel1 , Akin Erdal1 , Bekir Durmus2 , Ozlem Baysal2 , Zuhal Altay2 , Aysegul Jale Sarac3 , Ali Gur4 , Ozge Ardicoglu5

  • Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical Faculty, Ataturk University, 25240, Erzurum, Turkey
  • Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey
  • Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey
  • Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
  • Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ataturk Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
  • Division of Rheumatology, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University Hospital, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey
  • Division of Rheumatology, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Gevher Nesibe Hospital, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
Received:

20 January 2012

Accepted:

5 April 2012

Published online:

9 May 2012

Full Text

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Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the point prevalences of hay fever, asthma, and atopic dermatitis in OA, RA, and AS, and to compare with healthy controls.
Methods A total of 935 patients and healthy controls were included. Demographic and clinical features were recorded, and a questionnaire assessing the existence of atopic disorders like asthma, hay fever, and atopic dermatitis in all groups was applied. “Either atopy” implied that an individual was either diagnosed with or had symptoms of one or more of these disorders, such as asthma, hay fever, or atopic dermatitis.
Results When compared to the controls, only patients with AS had an increased risk for hay fever (OR 1.52, 95 % CI 1.00-2.41). Patients with RA had increased risks for hay fever, atopic dermatitis, and either atopy compared to the patients with OA (2.14, 95 % CI 1.18-3.89; 1.77, 95 % CI 1.00-3.18; and 3.45, 95 % CI 1.10-10.87, respectively). Steroid use had no effect on the prevalence of atopic disorders in patients with RA.
Conclusions Patients with OA, RA, and AS seem to have similar risks for asthma, atopic dermatitis, and either atopy to healthy controls. However, the prevalence of hay fever may increase in AS. Patients with RA have a higher risk of atopy than patients with OA.

Key words

Atopy - Osteoarthritis - Rheumatoid arthritis - Ankylosing spondylitis