Aslı Köklü, who lives in Istanbul and works as an interpreter, went to the doctor 11 years ago with a complaint of ear congestion. Köklü went to many different doctors. Finally, when the long-lasting complaint of the young woman who applied to Yeditepe University Hospital attracted attention, detailed tests revealed that she had kidney disease. Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital Internal Medicine and Nephrology Specialist Prof. Dr. Gülçin Kantarcı warned that other diseases should be considered and general evaluation should be made for reasons such as long-term upper respiratory tract infection or ear infection.

Aslı Köklü, the mother of 3 children, who stated that her complaint started with ear congestion in 2009, explained the process she went through as follows: "My disease, which started with ear congestion, led to kidney failure. I have been to a lot of doctors. Everyone said, “chew a gum.” The doctors I followed told me to take antibiotics because they thought it was inflammation. I used 10 different antibiotics. It was a long process, and it seemed that each one of them was ultimately useless. Finally, I came to the hospital with fluid running out of my ears. The diagnosis was made with the guidance of the otolaryngologist and treatment was started."

“It Is Seen In Two Million People”

Stating the patient was examined in detail first, Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital Internal Medicine and Nephrology Specialist Prof. Dr. Gülçin Kantarcı: "Our patient applies with the complaint of ear congestion. Our otolaryngologist thinks that this prolonged obstruction may be due to another reason. We concluded that there may be vasculitis as a result of the tests."

Prof. Dr. Gülçin Kantarcı also added the following: "Since this disease has similar vascular structures, it holds both the upper respiratory tract, lower respiratory tract, and kidneys. Our patient was in a process ranging from ear congestion to kidney failure. However, shortly after starting treatment, she did not need any dialysis. Her kidney function is almost back to normal. Such diseases can be treated with early diagnosis and good communication.” 

Long-Term Ear Congestion Draws Attention

Giving information about the incidence of the disease, Prof. Dr. Gülçin Kantarcı said, "It is a disease with a low incidence of 1-2 people per million population. This situation should be brought to mind in patients with long-lasting and undiagnosed upper respiratory tract, and in patients with prolonged diseases that have not been diagnosed yet. It should come to mind when there is a change in the color of the urine.”

"Packaged Foods Increase Disease Risk"

Emphasizing that early diagnosis is vital in the disease, Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital Internal Medicine, and Nephrology Specialist Prof. Dr. Gülçin Kantarcı concluded her words as follows: "The rate of renal dysfunction requiring dialysis as the diagnosis is delayed is almost half of the patients. If kidney dysfunction requiring dialysis develops, we, unfortunately, lose the patient in half of such vasculitis cases. The loss of life is quite high. These diseases are seen especially due to environmental factors. Although some patients have a genetic predisposition, some never do. By environmental factors, we mean additives used in foods, and preservatives in packaged foods. In addition, smoking, some drugs, and some viruses increase the risk of such vasculitic diseases."

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