Backgrounds: Heterogeneous clinical features of antibody deficiency (AD) may cause diagnostic delays. Calculated globulin (CG) (total protein minus albumin) has been proposed as a screening test to prevent morbidity due to diagnostic delays in AD. Our aim is to validate CG as a screening test in AD in Turkish adult patients by comparing its role with gamma globulin analysis in protein electrophoresis. Methods: Fifty serum samples were randomly collected for each level of CG from 1.5 to 2.5 mg/dl and tested for serum IgG, IgA, IgM levels and protein electrophoresis. Cut-off values predicting low IgG levels were calculated for electrophoretically determined gamma globulin and CG. Additionally, the data of 47 patients followed up in our clinic with a diagnosis of primary antibody deficiency (PAD) were retrospectively analyzed. Results: A total of 550 adult patients were included in the study. The CG value predicting patients with IgG <600 mg/dl as a screening test was determined as <2.0 with 83.8% sensitivity and 74.9% specificity. The gamma globulin value which predicted patients with the same IgG value of 89.0% sensitivity and 89.4% specificity was determined as <0.7. In the retrospective analysis, 37 of 47 patients (78.7%) with PAD had a CG value of <2.0 at the time of the diagnosis and all 13 patients (%100) whose gamma globulin values were measured at the time of the diagnosis had a gamma globulin value of <0.7. Conclusion: The determined CG cut-off value of <2.0 can be used as a screening test in Turkish adult patients.

Background: The success of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) mostly depends on regular injections. Our aim was to investigate adherence to SCIT with aeroallergens during the COVID-19 pandemic and demonstrate clinical consequences of treatment disruptions in real-life. Methods: Visual analogue scale for quality of life (VAS-QoL), VAS for symptom scores (VAS-symptom), medication scores (MSs) and total symptom scores (TSS-6) were recorded during the pandemic in 327 adult allergic rhinitis and/or asthmatic patients receiving maintenance SCIT and these scores were compared with the pre-pandemic data. Patients were grouped according to SCIT administration intervals; no delay (Group 1), <2 months (Group 2), and ≥2 month intervals (Group 3). Results: 104 (31.8%) patients (Group 3) were considered as non-adherent which was mostly related to receiving SCIT with HDMs and using public transportation for reaching the hospital. Median MS, VAS-symptom and TSS-6 scores of Group 3 patients during the pandemic were higher than the pre-pandemic scores (p=0.005, p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively) whereas median VAS-QoL scores of Group 3 during the pandemic were lower than the pre-pandemic scores (p<0.001). Median TSS-6 and VAS-symptom scores were the highest in Group 3 compared to other groups (p<0.001 for each comparison). Median VAS-QoL scores were the lowest in Group 3 compared to Group 1 and Group 2 (p<0.001, p=0.043, respectively). Conclusion: When precautions in allergy clinics are carefully applied, adherence to SCIT can be high during a pandemic. Patients must be warned about adhering to SCIT injections since delays in SCIT administration can deteriorate clinical symptoms.

Background: Hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks can be provoked with psychological factors. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of anxiety, depression and stress related to COVID-19 pandemic on disease activity of HAE patients during the quarantine period (QP) and the return to normal period (RTNP). Methods: This prospective study was conducted between March 2020 and September 2020 in four allergy centres. Demographic, clinical features and mental health status were evaluated in QP (from March to the beginning of June) and RTNP (from June to the beginning of September) was applied by the government. The 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS10) was used to define the severity of HAE attacks. Depression-Anxiety- Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and Fear of Covid-19 (FC-19) scales were performed to assess mental health status. Results: 139 HAE patients were included in the study. In QP, median attack numbers and median VAS10 scores were 5 (min-max: 0-45) and 6 (min-max: 0-10), respectively. HAE attack numbers, DASS-21 stress, anxiety, depression and total DASS-21 scores, as well as FC-19 scores were higher in QP than RTNP (p= 0.001, p <0,001, p = 0,001, p <0,001, p <0.001, p<0.001, respectively). However, there was no difference in attack severity scores between the two periods (p>0.05). Conclusions: This study revealed that the restriction measures during Covid-19 outbreak causes an increase in the number of HAE attacks in relation to anxiety, depression, stress and fear of Covid-19 pandemic. Therefore, it is important to provide psychological support to HAE patients during the pandemic.