Allergic Rhinitis and Its Relationship with IL-10, IL-17, TGF-ß, IFN-γ, IL 22, and IL-35.

BACKGROUND: We aimed in our study to research the role of new cytokines such as IL-35, IL-22, and IL-17 that may form a target for novel treatment approaches. METHODS: IL-10, IL-17, TGF-ß, IFN-γ, IL-22, and IL-35 serum levels of allergic rhinitis (AR) patients were measured using ELISA method. Allergic sensitization was demonstrated by the skin prick test. Patients only with olive tree sensitivity were evaluated for seasonal AR (SAR). Patients only with mite sensitivity were included in the study for perennial AR (PAR). AR clinic severity was demonstrated by the nasal symptom scores (NSS). RESULTS: In total, 65 AR patients (patient group), having 31 PAR and 34 SAR patients, and 31 healthy individuals (control group) participated in the study. Cytokine levels between the patient group and the control group were compared; IL-17 (p = 0.038), IL-22 (p = 0.001), and TGF-ß (p = 0.031) were detected as high in the patient group, and IFN-γ (p < 0.001) was detected as low in the patient group. When correlation analysis was made between age, gender, prick test result, NSS, AR duration, and cytokine levels in the patient group, a negative correlation was detected only between IFN-γ (p = 0.032/r = -0.266) level and NSS. CONCLUSIONS: Accompanied by the literature information, these results made us think that T cell subgroups and cytokines have an important role in AR immunopathogenesis. It is thought that future studies to be conducted relating to this subject will form new targets in treatment.

Validity and reliability of Turkish version of rhinitis and mini-rhinitis quality of life questionnaires.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to develop the Turkish version of Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) and mini-RQLQ for clinical and research purposes. METHODS: Study included 55 patients with Allergic Rhinitis (AR), aged 18-69. Demographic characteristics and symptom score (T4SS) were recorded. All patients filled in the Turkish RQLQ and mini-RQLQ. Reliability analysis included internal consistency and item-total score correlations. Construct validity analysis was performed by Known Group method by correlation of RQLQ and mini-RQLQ scores with T4SS and SF36. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 36.4+/-10.6. Mean T4SS was 4.7+/-4.1. Cronbach's alpha scores of all RQLQ domains were above 0.90 and those of mini-RQLQ were above 0.80. All items were significantly correlated with their domains. All correlation coefficients for item versus domain score were above 0.75 for RQLQ and above 0.84 for mini-RQLQ. Total RQLQ score was correlated with SF36 domains except physical functioning domain. Total mini-RQLQ score was significantly correlated with all SF36 domains (all r>-0.46). T4SS revealed significant correlation with RQLQ practical score (r=0.38). On the other hand, T4SS was correlated significantly with practical, nose and total scores of mini-RQLQ (r=0.33, 0.48, 0.34 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Health is the complete state of well-being and AR has major impact on quality of life (QoL), therefore it seems essential to include QoL measures in clinical evaluation along with traditional parameters. This study has demonstrated that RQLQ and mini-RQLQ are valid measures for use in Turkish patients with AR.