title: The Score For Allergic Rhinitis study in Turkey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The clinical definition of allergic rhinitis (AR) is difficult to use in epidemiological 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 epidemiological studies is of crucial importance. This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of AR in an adult general population with respect to seven distinct geographical regions in Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Individuals were evaluated with the Score for Allergic Rhinitis (SFAR) questionnaire for a national cross-sectional study. The Turkish version of the SFAR questionnaire was tested for clarity and sensitivity in a small sample of the general population.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 3967 interviewed subjects, the overall prevalence of AR was 29.6%, with regional variations (from 21.0% in the southeastern Anatolia region to 36.1% in the Marmara region). The prevalence was higher in women and in urban area of residence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This national survey confirmed the elevated prevalence of AR in Turkey. Our findings may contribute to the formulation of the public health policy and development of preventive and therapeutic strategies for AR in eastern Europe.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Osmangazi University Medical Faculty, Eskisehir, Turkey. ccingi@ogu.edu.tr
authors.forename: Cemal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cingi
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Songu
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ural
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Annesi-Maesano
authors.forename: Nagehan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Erdogmus
authors.forename: Cengiz
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bal
authors.forename: Volkan
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kahya
authors.forename: Eltaf Ayca Ozbal
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Koc
authors.forename: Burak Omur
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Cakir
authors.forename: Adin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Selcuk
authors.forename: Samet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozlugedik
authors.forename: Kazim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Onal
authors.forename: Rasit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Midilli
authors.forename: Cenk
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ecevit
authors.forename: Ercan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pinar
authors.forename: Ertap
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Akoglu
authors.forename: Semsettin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Okuyucu
authors.forename: Alper Nabi
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Erkan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards; D014421:Turkey; D014505:Urban Population