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Idrose NS, Lodge CJ, Erbas B, Douglass JA, Bui DS, Dharmage SC. A Review of the Respiratory Health Burden Attributable to Short-Term Exposure to Pollen. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19127541. [PMID: 35742795 PMCID: PMC9224249 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affect millions worldwide and pose a significant global public health burden. Over the years, changes in land use and climate have increased pollen quantity, allergenicity and duration of the pollen season, thus increasing its impact on respiratory disease. Many studies have investigated the associations between short-term ambient pollen (i.e., within days or weeks of exposure) and respiratory outcomes. Here, we reviewed the current evidence on the association between short-term outdoor pollen exposure and thunderstorm asthma (TA), asthma and COPD hospital presentations, general practice (GP) consultations, self-reported respiratory symptoms, lung function changes and their potential effect modifiers. The literature suggests strong evidence of an association between ambient pollen concentrations and almost all respiratory outcomes mentioned above, especially in people with pre-existing respiratory diseases. However, the evidence on sub-clinical lung function changes, COPD, and effect modifiers other than asthma, hay fever and pollen sensitisation are still scarce and requires further exploration. Better understanding of the implications of pollen on respiratory health can aid healthcare professionals to implement appropriate management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Sabrina Idrose
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3053, Australia; (N.S.I.); (C.J.L.); (D.S.B.)
- Centre for Food and Allergy Research, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Caroline J. Lodge
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3053, Australia; (N.S.I.); (C.J.L.); (D.S.B.)
| | - Bircan Erbas
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC 3086, Australia;
| | - Jo A. Douglass
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC 3050, Australia;
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Dinh S. Bui
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3053, Australia; (N.S.I.); (C.J.L.); (D.S.B.)
| | - Shyamali C. Dharmage
- Allergy and Lung Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3053, Australia; (N.S.I.); (C.J.L.); (D.S.B.)
- Centre for Food and Allergy Research, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3052, Australia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-383-440-737
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Pacheco SE, Guidos G, Annesi-Maesano I, Pawankar R, Amato GD, Latour-Staffeld P, Urrutia-Pereira M, Kesic MJ, Hernandez ML. Climate Change and Global Issues in Allergy and Immunology. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2021; 148:1366-1377. [PMID: 34688774 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The steady increase in global temperatures, resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels and the accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHG), continues to destabilize all ecosystems worldwide. Although annual emissions must halve by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050 to limit some of the most catastrophic impacts associated with a warming planet, the world's efforts to curb GHG emissions fall short of the commitments made in the 2015 Paris Agreement (1). To this effect, July 2021 was recently declared the hottest month ever recorded in 142 years (2). The ramifications of these changes on global temperatures are complex and further promote outdoor air pollution, pollen exposure, and extreme weather events. Besides worsening respiratory health, air pollution, promotes atopy and susceptibility to infections. The GHG effects on pollen affect the frequency and severity of asthma and allergic rhinitis. Changes in temperature, air pollution, and extreme weather events exert adverse multisystemic health effects and disproportionally affect disadvantaged and vulnerable populations. This article is an update for allergists and immunologists about the health impacts of climate change, already evident in our daily practices. It is also a call to action and advocacy, including integrating climate change-related mitigation, education, and adaptation measures to protect our patients and avert further injury to our planet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Pacheco
- Professor of Pediatrics, University of Texas McGovern Medical School, MSB3.228, Houston, Texas 77030.
| | - Guillermo Guidos
- Professor of Immunology, School of Medicine, ENMH, Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Mexico City
| | - Isabella Annesi-Maesano
- Deputy Director of Institute Desbrest of Epiddemioloy and Public Health, INSERM and Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Ruby Pawankar
- Professor, Division of Allergy, Dept. of Pediatrics, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Gennaro D' Amato
- Fellow and Honorary member of EAACI, FAAAAI, FERS. , Chairman Committee World Allergy Organization on "Aerobiology, Climate change, Biodiversity and Allergy"; Division of Respiratory Diseases and Allergy, High Specialty Hospital A. Cardarelli, Naples
| | - Patricia Latour-Staffeld
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Distinguished Graduate Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Ureña, Medical director of Centro Avanzado De Alergia y Asma Santo Domingo, President Latin American Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Associate Professor School of Medicine Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Ureña, Dominican Republic
| | | | - Matthew J Kesic
- Campbell University, Physician Assistant Program, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 4150 US HWY 421 South, Lillington, NC 27546
| | - Michelle L Hernandez
- Professor of Pediatrics Division of Allergy & Immunology Director, Clinical Research Unit, Children's Research Institute, UNC School of Medicine, 5008C Mary Ellen Jones Building, 116 Manning Drive, CB #7231 Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7231
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Saha S, Vaidyanathan A, Lo F, Brown C, Hess JJ. Short term physician visits and medication prescriptions for allergic disease associated with seasonal tree, grass, and weed pollen exposure across the United States. Environ Health 2021; 20:85. [PMID: 34289856 PMCID: PMC8296728 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00766-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While year-round exposure to pollen is linked to a large burden of allergic diseases, location-specific risk information on pollen types and allergy outcomes are limited. We characterize the relationship between acute exposure to tree, grass and weed pollen taxa and two allergy outcomes (allergic rhinitis physician visit and prescription allergy medication fill) across 28 metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) in the United States. METHODS We obtained daily pollen data from National Allergy Bureau (NAB) monitors at these 28 MSAs for 2008-2015. We revised the NAB guidelines to classify taxa-specific pollen severity each day. Daily information on allergic rhinitis and prescribed allergy medications for individuals with employer-based health insurance from the IBM MarketScan Research database for these MSAs. We combined the daily pollen and health data for each MSA into a longitudinal dataset. We conducted a MSA-specific conditional quasi-Poisson regression analysis to assess how different levels of pollen concentration impact the health outcomes, controlling for local air pollution, meteorology and Influenza-like illness (ILI). We used a random effects meta-analysis to produce an overall risk estimate for each pollen type and health outcome. RESULTS The seasonal distribution of pollen taxa and associated health impacts varied across the MSAs. Relative risk of allergic rhinitis visits increased as concentrations increased for all pollen types; relative risk of medication fills increased for tree and weed pollen only. We observed an increase in health risk even on days with moderate levels of pollen concentration. 7-day average concentration of pollen had stronger association with the health outcomes compared to the same-day measure. Controlling for air pollution and ILI had little impact on effect estimates. CONCLUSION This analysis expands the catalogue of associations between different pollen taxa and allergy-related outcomes across multiple MSAs. The effect estimates we present can be used to project the burden of allergic disease in specific locations in the future as well inform patients with allergies on impending pollen exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubhayu Saha
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, 4770 Buford Hwy, GA, 30341, Atlanta, USA.
| | - Ambarish Vaidyanathan
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, 4770 Buford Hwy, GA, 30341, Atlanta, USA
| | - Fiona Lo
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences, College of the Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Claudia Brown
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Environmental Health, 4770 Buford Hwy, GA, 30341, Atlanta, USA
| | - Jeremy J Hess
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Global Health, Schools of Medicine and Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Tiwari A, Wang AL, Li J, Lutz SM, Kho AT, Weiss ST, Tantisira KG, McGeachie MJ. Seasonal Variation in miR-328-3p and let-7d-3p Are Associated With Seasonal Allergies and Asthma Symptoms in Children. ALLERGY, ASTHMA & IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH 2021; 13:576-588. [PMID: 34212545 PMCID: PMC8255344 DOI: 10.4168/aair.2021.13.4.576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE MicroRNAs (miRs) are small non-coding RNA molecules of around 18-22 nucleotides that are key regulators of many biologic processes, particularly inflammation. The purpose of this study was to determine the association of circulating miRs from asthmatic children with seasonal variation in allergic inflammation and asthma symptoms. METHODS We used available small RNA sequencing on blood serum from 398 children with mild-to-moderate asthma from the Childhood Asthma Management Program. We used seasonal asthma symptom data at the study baseline and allergen affection status from baseline skin prick tests as primary outcomes. We identified differentially expressed (DE) miRs between pairs of seasons using DESeq2. Regression analysis was used to identify associations between allergy status to specific seasonal allergens and DE miRs in 4 seasons and between seasonal asthma symptom data and DE miRs. We performed pathway enrichment analysis for target genes of the DE miRs using DAVID. RESULTS After quality control, 398 samples underwent differential analysis between the 4 seasons. We found 52 unique miRs from a total of 81 DE miRs across seasons. Further investigation of the association between these miRs and sensitization to seasonal allergens using skin prick tests revealed that 26 unique miRs from a total of 38 miRs were significantly associated with a same-season allergen. Comparison between seasonal asthma symptom data revealed that 2 of these 26 miRs also had significant associations with asthma symptoms in the same seasons: miR-328-3p (P < 0.03) and let-7d-3p (P < 0.05). Enrichment analysis showed that the most enriched pathway clusters were Rap1, Ras, and MAPK signaling pathways. CONCLUSION Our results show seasonal variation in miR-328-3p and let-7d-3p are significantly associated with seasonal asthma symptoms and seasonal allergies. These indicate a potentially protective role for let-7d-3p and a deleterious role for miR-328-3p in asthmatics sensitized to mulberry. Further work will determine whether these miRs are drivers or results of the allergic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshul Tiwari
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alberta L Wang
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jiang Li
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sharon M Lutz
- PRecisiOn Medicine Translational Research (PROMoTeR) Center, Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alvin T Kho
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Computational Health Informatics Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Scott T Weiss
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kelan G Tantisira
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael J McGeachie
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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5
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Silver JD, Spriggs K, Haberle S, Katelaris CH, Newbigin EJ, Lampugnani ER. Crowd-sourced allergic rhinitis symptom data: The influence of environmental and demographic factors. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 705:135147. [PMID: 31841904 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Allergic Rhinitis (AR) affects over half a billion people worldwide with an estimated prevalence of 1 in 5 individuals in developed countries. Although ambient pollen exposure is a causal factor in AR, the symptom-exposure relationship is typically not studied in the broader community but in small, well-characterised cohorts drawn from clinical populations. To identify relationships between AR symptoms in the community and a range of environmental factors, we used a database containing over 96,000 symptom score reports collected over a 3-year period (2014-2016) through freely available smartphone apps released in two Australian cities, Melbourne and Canberra. Ambient pollen levels and symptom scores were strongly related, with grass pollen explaining most of the symptom variation. Other factors correlated with higher symptom scores included temperature (R > 0.73) and wind speed (R > 0.75). In general, worse symptom scores were reported by younger participants, women, and those who had taken medication for AR in the preceding 24 h. The strength of this relationship varied between the two cities. Smartphone-based symptom surveys offer a cost-effective means of studying real-world risk factors for AR in a broader 'extra-clinical' population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy D Silver
- School of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kymble Spriggs
- Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Allergy and Immunology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Simon Haberle
- School of Culture, History and Language, College of Asia and the Pacific, Australian National University Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | | | - Edward J Newbigin
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Edwin R Lampugnani
- School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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7
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Osborne NJ, Alcock I, Wheeler BW, Hajat S, Sarran C, Clewlow Y, McInnes RN, Hemming D, White M, Vardoulakis S, Fleming LE. Pollen exposure and hospitalization due to asthma exacerbations: daily time series in a European city. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2017; 61:1837-1848. [PMID: 28500390 PMCID: PMC5643363 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-017-1369-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 04/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to pollen can contribute to increased hospital admissions for asthma exacerbation. This study applied an ecological time series analysis to examine associations between atmospheric concentrations of different pollen types and the risk of hospitalization for asthma in London from 2005 to 2011. The analysis examined short-term associations between daily pollen counts and hospital admissions in the presence of seasonal and long-term patterns, and allowed for time lags between exposure and admission. Models were adjusted for temperature, precipitation, humidity, day of week, and air pollutants. Analyses revealed an association between daily counts (continuous) of grass pollen and adult hospital admissions for asthma in London, with a 4-5-day lag. When grass pollen concentrations were categorized into Met Office pollen 'alert' levels, 'very high' days (vs. 'low') were associated with increased admissions 2-5 days later, peaking at an incidence rate ratio of 1.46 (95%, CI 1.20-1.78) at 3 days. Increased admissions were also associated with 'high' versus 'low' pollen days at a 3-day lag. Results from tree pollen models were inconclusive and likely to have been affected by the shorter pollen seasons and consequent limited number of observation days with higher tree pollen concentrations. Future reductions in asthma hospitalizations may be achieved by better understanding of environmental risks, informing improved alert systems and supporting patients to take preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Osborne
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, Cornwall, UK.
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Ian Alcock
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, Cornwall, UK
| | - Benedict W Wheeler
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, Cornwall, UK
| | - Shakoor Hajat
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | | | - Rachel N McInnes
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, Cornwall, UK
- Met Office Hadley Centre, Fitzroy Road, Exeter, EX1 3PB, UK
| | | | - Mathew White
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, Cornwall, UK
| | - Sotiris Vardoulakis
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, Cornwall, UK
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- Environmental Change Department, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Chilton, Oxon, OX11 0RQ, UK
| | - Lora E Fleming
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, Cornwall, UK
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8
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The dangerous liaison between pollens and pollution in respiratory allergy. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2017; 118:269-275. [PMID: 28143681 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2016.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Revised: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To recapitulate the more recent epidemiologic studies on the association of air pollution with respiratory allergic diseases prevalence and to discuss the main limitations of current approaches used to establish a link between pollinosis and pollution. DATA SOURCES Through the use of PubMed, we conducted a broad literature review in the following areas: epidemiology of respiratory allergic diseases, effect of pollution and climate changes on pollen grains, and immunomodulatory properties of pollen substances. STUDY SELECTIONS Studies on short- and long-term exposure to air pollutants, such as gaseous and particulate materials, on allergic sensitization, and on exacerbation of asthma symptoms were considered. RESULTS Trend in respiratory allergic disease prevalence has increased worldwide during the last 3 decades. Although recent epidemiologic studies on a possible association of this phenomenon with increasing pollution are controversial, botanic studies suggest a clear effect of several pollutants combined to climatic changes on the increased expression of allergenic proteins in several pollen grains. The current literature suggests the need for considering both pollen allergen and pollutant contents for epidemiologic evaluation of environmental determinants in respiratory allergies. We propose that a measure of allergenic potential of pollens, indicative of the increase in allergenicity of a polluted pollen, may be considered as a new risk indicator for respiratory health in urban areas. CONCLUSION Because public greens are located in strict proximity to the anthropogenic sources of pollution, the identification of novel more reliable parameters for risk assessment in respiratory allergic diseases is an essential need for public health management and primary prevention area.
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Bono R, Romanazzi V, Bellisario V, Tassinari R, Trucco G, Urbino A, Cassardo C, Siniscalco C, Marchetti P, Marcon A. Air pollution, aeroallergens and admissions to pediatric emergency room for respiratory reasons in Turin, northwestern Italy. BMC Public Health 2016; 16:722. [PMID: 27492006 PMCID: PMC4974813 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-3376-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Air pollution can cause respiratory symptoms or exacerbate pre-existing respiratory diseases, especially in children. This study looked at the short-term association of air pollution concentrations with Emergency Room (ER) admissions for respiratory reasons in pediatric age (0–18 years). Methods Daily number of ER admissions in a children’s Hospital, concentrations of urban-background PM2.5, NO2, O3 and total aeroallergens (Corylaceae, Cupressaceae, Gramineae, Urticaceae, Ambrosia, Betula) were collected in Turin, northwestern Italy, for the period 1/08/2008 to 31/12/2010 (883 days). The associations between exposures and ER admissions were estimated, at time lags between 0 and 5 days, using generalized linear Poisson regression models, adjusted for non-meteorological potential confounders. Results In the study period, 21,793 ER admissions were observed, mainly (81 %) for upper respiratory tract infections. Median air pollution concentrations were 22.0, 42.5, 34.1 μg/m3 for urban-background PM2.5, NO2, and O3, respectively, and 2.9 grains/m3 for aeroallergens. We found that ER admissions increased by 1.3 % (95 % CI: 0.3-2.2 %) five days after a 10 μg/m3 increase in NO2, and by 0.7 % (95 % CI: 0.1-1.2 %) one day after a 10 grains/m3 increase in aeroallergens, while they were not associated with PM2.5 concentrations. ER admissions were negatively associated with O3 and aeroallergen concentrations at some time lags, but these association shifted to the null when meteorological confounders were adjusted for in the models. Conclusions Overall, these findings confirm adverse short-term health effects of air pollution on the risk of ER admission in children and encourage a careful management of the urban environment to health protection. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3376-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Bono
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, via Santena, 5 bis, 10126, Turin, Italy.
| | - Valeria Romanazzi
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, via Santena, 5 bis, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Valeria Bellisario
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, via Santena, 5 bis, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Roberta Tassinari
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, via Santena, 5 bis, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Giulia Trucco
- Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Turin, via Santena, 5 bis, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonio Urbino
- Pediatrics Emergency, Regina Margherita Children's Hospital, Piazza Polonia, 94, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Claudio Cassardo
- Department of Physics, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria, 1, 10125, Turin, Italy
| | - Consolata Siniscalco
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Viale P. A. Mattioli, 25, 10125, Turin, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Marchetti
- Unit of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie, 8, Verona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Marcon
- Unit of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Strada le Grazie, 8, Verona, Italy
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Baldacci S, Maio S, Cerrai S, Sarno G, Baïz N, Simoni M, Annesi-Maesano I, Viegi G. Allergy and asthma: Effects of the exposure to particulate matter and biological allergens. Respir Med 2015; 109:1089-104. [PMID: 26073963 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2015.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2014] [Revised: 05/08/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of asthma and allergies including atopy has increased during the past decades, particularly in westernized countries. The rapid rise in the prevalence of such diseases cannot be explained by genetic factors alone. Rapid urbanization and industrialization throughout the world have increased air pollution and population exposures, so that most epidemiologic studies are focusing on possible links between air pollution and respiratory diseases. Furthermore, a growing body of evidence shows that chemical air pollution may interact with airborne allergens enhancing the risk of atopic sensitization and exacerbation of symptoms in sensitized subjects. These phenomena are supported by current in vitro and animal studies showing that the combined exposure to air pollutants and allergens may have a synergistic or additive effect on asthma and allergies, although there is an insufficient evidence about this link at the population level. Further research is needed in order to elucidate the mechanisms by which pollutants and biological allergens induce damage in exposed subjects. The abatement of the main risk factors for asthma and allergic diseases may achieve huge health benefits. Thus, it is important to raise awareness of respiratory allergies as serious chronic diseases which place a heavy burden on patients and on society as a whole.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Baldacci
- Pulmonary Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Pisa, Italy.
| | - S Maio
- Pulmonary Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | - S Cerrai
- Pulmonary Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | - G Sarno
- Pulmonary Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | - N Baïz
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR-S 1136, Institute Pierre Louis of Epidémiology and Public Health, Epidemiology of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases Department, Paris, France; INSERM, UMR-S 1136, IPLESP, EPAR Department, Paris, France
| | - M Simoni
- Pulmonary Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Pisa, Italy
| | - I Annesi-Maesano
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR-S 1136, Institute Pierre Louis of Epidémiology and Public Health, Epidemiology of Allergic and Respiratory Diseases Department, Paris, France; INSERM, UMR-S 1136, IPLESP, EPAR Department, Paris, France
| | - G Viegi
- Pulmonary Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR, Pisa, Italy
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11
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Ibrahim WH, Suleiman NN, El-Allus F, Suleiman J, Elbuzidi AA, Guerrero MD, Guerrero AN, Akkari A, Karim H, Awouda SA, Suliman S. The burden of adult asthma in a high GDP per capita country: the QASMA study. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2014; 114:12-7. [PMID: 25240334 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2014.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Revised: 08/18/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Asthma is a major health problem worldwide. Suboptimal asthma care and poor asthma control are common even in developed countries. Qatar has the highest gross domestic product per capita in the world and high per capita health expenditure. No prior study has assessed the burden of adult asthma in this country. OBJECTIVES To assess asthma control, patients' level of education about asthma, and level of asthma care in a country with the highest gross domestic product per capita in the world. METHODS A face-to-face, cross-sectional study of 520 adults with physician-diagnosed asthma conducted in various health care facilities in Qatar. RESULTS Thirty-three percent, 41%, and 26% of patients had uncontrolled, controlled, and partly controlled asthma, respectively. Only 4.9% of patients had previously received a written asthma management plan, 3.5% had a flow meter at home, and 37.2% had a spirometry performed in the previous 5 years. In addition, 42.9% misunderstood the role of reliever and controller medications. Inhaler technique was incorrect in 47% of these patients. There was a significant association between the type of physician practice and level of asthma control, with worst control being at the general practice level. Moreover, 57.3% of patients had at least 1 asthma-related visit to the emergency department in 1 year and 18.7% had more than 3 visits. CONCLUSION The very high gross domestic product per capita in Qatar and the high health expenditure per capita do not seem to have led to better asthma care and control. A comprehensive national asthma service improvement program is much needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanis H Ibrahim
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary Section, Hamad General Hospital and Weill-Cornell Medical College, Doha, Qatar.
| | | | - Fathi El-Allus
- Department of Medicine, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jamal Suleiman
- Department of Public Health, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar
| | | | | | - Aldwin N Guerrero
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Hanfa Karim
- Department of Medicine, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | - Samah A Awouda
- Department of Medicine, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar
| | - Salma Suliman
- Department of Medicine, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar
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Katz DSW, Carey TS. Heterogeneity in ragweed pollen exposure is determined by plant composition at small spatial scales. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 485-486:435-440. [PMID: 24742553 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.03.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2013] [Revised: 03/07/2014] [Accepted: 03/21/2014] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Pollen allergies are one of the most common health problems in the United States and over 20% of Americans are sensitized to the pollen produced by common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.). Despite the importance of allergenic pollen to public health, no research has linked land use and plant populations to spatial heterogeneity in airborne pollen concentrations. In order to quantify these relationships and elucidate the processes which lead to pollen exposure, we surveyed ragweed stem density in Detroit (Michigan, USA) as a function of land use. We then deployed 34 pollen collectors throughout the city and recorded ragweed cover in the immediate vicinity of each pollen collector. We found that ragweed populations were highest in vacant lots, a common land cover type in Detroit. Because ragweed population density was so strongly correlated to vacant lots, for which spatially explicit data were available, we were able to investigate whether observed ragweed pollen concentrations were a function of land use at the spatial scales of 10 m and 1 km. Both relationships were significant, and the combination of these two variables predicts a large portion of airborne ragweed pollen concentrations (R(2)=0.48). These results emphasize the important role of pollen production within the urban environment and show that management of allergenic pollen producing plants must be considered at multiple spatial scales. Our findings also demonstrate that there is too much spatial heterogeneity for a pollen collector at any given site to portray the allergenic pollen load experienced by different individuals within the same city. Finally, we discuss how spatial correlations between socio-economic status, vacant lots, and ragweed could help to explain the disproportionate amount of allergies and ragweed sensitization experienced by low income and minority populations in Detroit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S W Katz
- School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan, 440 Church St., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Tiffany S Carey
- Program in the Environment, University of Michigan, 204 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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13
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Charpin D, Caillaud D. Épidémiologie de l’allergie pollinique. Rev Mal Respir 2014; 31:365-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rmr.2013.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2013] [Accepted: 12/31/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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14
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Caillaud D, Martin S, Segala C, Besancenot JP, Clot B, Thibaudon M. Effects of airborne birch pollen levels on clinical symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2013; 163:43-50. [PMID: 24247974 DOI: 10.1159/000355630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 09/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most panel studies focusing on rhinitis and conjunctivitis symptoms and birch pollen have been performed on a linear basis and have not included air pollution and meteorological variables as potential confounders. The objective of this panel study was to assess the relationship between symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and daily airborne birch pollen concentrations, checking with adequate statistical tools the shapes of concentration-response curves and controlling for confounders. METHODS The severity of rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and bronchial symptoms was recorded daily in March and April 2010 (3,311 person-days) in 61 seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis patients sensitized to birch. Data were analyzed with generalized additive and generalized estimating equation models to quantify the effects of birch pollens. RESULTS The relationship between birch pollen and the percentage of patients with nasal, ocular and bronchial symptoms was linear until birch daily average concentrations of, respectively, 110, 70, and 70 grains/m(3); it reached a plateau thereafter. For an increase of 10 grains/m(3), the OR (95% CI) for nasal, ocular, and bronchial symptoms were, respectively, 1.07 (1.03-1.12), 1.17 (1.08-1.27), and 1.12 (1.03-1.21). At the beginning of the season, no nasal or ocular symptoms were observed below a threshold of 30 grains/m(3). CONCLUSIONS Adequate modeling regression shows that the clinical response to natural exposure to birch pollen in sensitized patients varies during Betula pollen season, with a threshold at the beginning of the season, while over the whole season the relationship is linear for nasal, ocular, and bronchial symptoms up to a saturation point, followed by a plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Caillaud
- Service de Pneumologie, Hôpital Gabriel Montpied, Clermont-Ferrand, France
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15
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Caillaud D, Toloba Y, Raobison R, Besancenot JP, Thibaudon M, Martin S, Segala C. [Health impact of exposure to pollens: A review of epidemiological studies]. Rev Mal Respir 2013; 31:142-9. [PMID: 24602681 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmr.2013.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2012] [Accepted: 09/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this review is to describe the health impact of exposure to pollen based on recently published epidemiological studies. The methodology chapter, describes a review of the literature and outlines important elements of these studies: measurement of exposure to pollens, study types used, study populations and the health indicators related to pollen exposure. In this review, two types of studies have been used to assess the epidemiological evidence of short-term links between pollen exposure and hay fever or asthma. Ecological time-series studies use daily indicators of asthma exacerbations (emergency room admissions or hospitalizations), consultations for rhinitis or conjunctivitis, or anti-allergic drug consumption within general population. Panel studies relate measurements of pollen grain concentrations to nasal, ocular and bronchial symptom severity in a group of subjects sensitized to a specific pollen, monitored during the pollen season. In both cases, the studies show a relationship on a day-to-day basis between health indicators and daily rates of atmospheric pollen collected by a pollen trap. These studies take into account confounding factors, such as air pollution, weather factors and sometimes exposure to outdoor molds. Unlike earlier studies, more and more studies focus on the shape of the dose-response relationship and the lag between pollen exposure and symptoms. Only rarely, individual susceptibility factors, the clinical phenomenon of priming and polysensitization are reported. Thus, ecological time-series studies and panel studies assess respectively the impact of pollen exposure in the general population and in groups of sensitized patients. Using appropriate statistical tools, these studies provide insight into the shape of the dose-response relationship, with a potential threshold below which symptoms are absent, then a linear relationship for nasal, ocular and bronchial symptoms and a plateau where the symptoms do not increase despite the continued increase in pollen.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Caillaud
- Service de pneumologie, hôpital Gabriel-Montpied, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, rue Montalembert, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| | - Y Toloba
- Service de pneumologie, hôpital Gabriel-Montpied, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, rue Montalembert, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - R Raobison
- Service de pneumologie, hôpital Gabriel-Montpied, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, rue Montalembert, 63003 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - J-P Besancenot
- Réseau national de surveillance aérobiologique (RNSA), 69960 Brussieu, France
| | - M Thibaudon
- Réseau national de surveillance aérobiologique (RNSA), 69960 Brussieu, France
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Arnedo-Pena A, García-Marcos L, Bercedo-Sanz A, Aguinaga-Ontoso I, González-Díaz C, García-Merino A, Busquets-Monge R, Suárez-Varela MM, Batlles-Garrido J, Blanco-Quirós AA, López-Silvarrey A, García-Hernández G, Fuertes J. Prevalence of asthma symptoms in schoolchildren, and climate in west European countries: an ecologic study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2013; 57:775-784. [PMID: 23152194 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-012-0606-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2012] [Revised: 10/15/2012] [Accepted: 10/27/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to estimate the associations between the prevalence of asthma symptoms in schoolchildren and meteorological variables in west European countries that participated in the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Children (ISAAC), Phase III 1997-2003. An ecologic study was carried out. The prevalence of asthma was obtained from this study from 48 centers in 14 countries, and meteorological variables from those stations closest to ISAAC centers, together with other socioeconomic and health care variables. Multilevel mixed-effects linear regression models were used. For schoolchildren aged 6-7 years, the prevalence rate of asthma decreased with an increase in mean annual sunshine hours, showed a positive association with rainy weather, and warm temperature, and a negative one with relative humidity and physician density (PD). Current wheeze prevalence was stronger in autumn/winter seasons and decreased with increasing PD. Severe current wheeze decreased with PD. For schoolchildren aged 13-14 years, the prevalence rates of asthma and current wheeze increased with rainy weather, and these rates decreased with increased PD. Current wheeze, as measured by a video questionnaire, was inversely associated with sunny weather, and nurse density. Severe current wheeze prevalence was stronger during autumn/winter seasons, decreased with PD, and indoor chlorinated public swimming pool density, and increased with rainy weather. Meteorological factors, including sunny and rainy weather, and PD may have some effect on the prevalence rates of asthma symptoms in children from west European countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Arnedo-Pena
- Epidemiology Division, Public Health Center, Avda del Mar 12, 12003 Castellón, Spain.
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Canova C, Heinrich J, Anto JM, Leynaert B, Smith M, Kuenzli N, Zock JP, Janson C, Cerveri I, de Marco R, Toren K, Gislason T, Nowak D, Pin I, Wjst M, Manfreda J, Svanes C, Crane J, Abramson M, Burr M, Burney P, Jarvis D. The influence of sensitisation to pollens and moulds on seasonal variations in asthma attacks. Eur Respir J 2013; 42:935-45. [PMID: 23471350 PMCID: PMC3787817 DOI: 10.1183/09031936.00097412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
No large study has described the seasonal variation in asthma attacks in
population-based asthmatics in whom sensitisation to allergen has been
measured. 2637 young adults with asthma living in 15 countries reported the months in which
they usually had attacks of asthma and had skin-prick tests performed.
Differences in seasonal patterns by sensitisation status were assessed using
generalised estimating equations. Most young adults with asthma reported periods of the year when their asthma
attacks were more common (range: 47% in Sweden to 86% in
Spain). Seasonal variation in asthma was not modified by sensitisation to
house dust mite or cat allergens. Asthmatics sensitised to grass, birch and
Alternaria allergens had different seasonal patterns to
those not sensitised to each allergen, with some geographical variation. In
southern Europe, those sensitised to grass allergens were more likely to report
attacks occurred in spring or summer than in winter (OR March/April 2.60,
95% CI 1.70–3.97; OR May/June 4.43, 95% CI
2.34–8.39) and smaller later peaks were observed in northern Europe
(OR May/June 1.25, 95% CI 0.60–2.64; OR July/August 1.66,
95% CI 0.89–3.10). Asthmatics reporting hay fever but who were
not sensitised to grass showed no seasonal variations. Seasonal variations in asthma attacks in young adults are common and are
different depending on sensitisation to outdoor, but not indoor, allergens. Seasonal variation in asthma attacks is associated with sensitisation to
pollens and moulds, but not indoor allergenshttp://ow.ly/nsuRS
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Medek DE, Kljakovic M, Fox I, Pretty DG, Prebble M. Hay fever in a changing climate: linking an Internet-based diary with environmental data. ECOHEALTH 2012; 9:440-447. [PMID: 23104689 DOI: 10.1007/s10393-012-0787-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2011] [Revised: 07/11/2012] [Accepted: 07/12/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Investigating the impact of climate change on human health requires the development of efficient tools that link patient symptoms with changing environmental variables. We developed an internet-based hay fever diary linked to simultaneously recorded pollen load and weather variables in Canberra, Australia over spring 2010. We recruited 42 hay fever sufferers to complete a simple online pollen diary daily over a period of 60 days. In conjunction, daily airborne pollen load was counted and meteorological data collected simultaneously. We focused on the relationships between temperature, rainfall, pollen count and rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms. Pollen load increased after a peak rainfall event until the end of the study. Compliance was high, averaging 79% of days per person. Nasal rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms increased in concert with increasing pollen load, and then remained high. Mucosal itching increased more gradually and strongly coincided with increased daily maximum temperature. Our study successfully demonstrated the feasibility of linking pollen load and climate variables to symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis in the Australian community. However, a larger study would better explore the nature of associations between these variables. Similar online methods could be used to monitor a range of health responses to our changing environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Eve Medek
- College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, University Medical School, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
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Daily effects of air pollutants and pollen types on asthma and COPD hospital emergency visits in the industrial and Mediterranean Spanish city of Cartagena. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2012; 40:231-7. [PMID: 21890258 DOI: 10.1016/j.aller.2011.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2011] [Accepted: 07/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Associations found in time-series studies on hospital emergency room (ER) visits due to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with single air pollutants show some lack of consistency. The respiratory effects of aeroallergens in the air pollution mix are not well established. Non-linear relationships of different airborne pollen types with certain respiratory diseases have also been described. We aim to study the short-term effects of major air pollutants and aeroallergen pollen on asthma and COPD hospital ER visits in the industrial and Mediterranean Spanish city of Cartagena during 1995-1998. METHODS The association of asthma and COPD to ER visits with mean levels of sulphur and nitrogen dioxides (SO(2) and NO(2)), total suspended particles (TSP), ozone (O(3)), and the main allergenic airborne pollen types were analysed using Poisson regression with Generalised Additive Models, taking into account delayed effects and adjusting for long-term trends, seasonality, weather conditions, holidays and flu notifications. RESULTS Multipollutant models showed a similar relative risk (RR) increase (in %), of around 5% in asthma and COPD ER visits per 10 μg/m(3) SO(2) increments. The risk of an ER visit for the same NO(2) increment was 2.6% for asthma and 3.3% for COPD. Visits to the ER due to asthma showed a positive increase with both Urticaceae and Poaceae levels, but did not substantially modify the previous percentages. CONCLUSIONS Air levels of SO(2) and NO(2) were associated with a substantial increased risk in ER visits due to asthma and COPD. The inclusion of Poaceae and Urticaceae pollen did not alter that association.
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Davies JM, Li H, Green M, Towers M, Upham JW. Subtropical grass pollen allergens are important for allergic respiratory diseases in subtropical regions. Clin Transl Allergy 2012; 2:4. [PMID: 22409901 PMCID: PMC3320540 DOI: 10.1186/2045-7022-2-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2011] [Accepted: 03/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Grass pollen allergens are a major cause of allergic respiratory disease but traditionally prescribing practice for grass pollen allergen-specific immunotherapy has favoured pollen extracts of temperate grasses. Here we aim to compare allergy to subtropical and temperate grass pollens in patients with allergic rhinitis from a subtropical region of Australia. Methods Sensitization to pollen extracts of the subtropical Bahia grass (Paspalum notatum), Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense) and Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) as well as the temperate Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) were measured by skin prick in 233 subjects from Brisbane. Grass pollen-specific IgE reactivity was tested by ELISA and cross-inhibition ELISA. Results Patients with grass pollen allergy from a subtropical region showed higher skin prick diameters with subtropical Bahia grass and Bermuda grass pollens than with Johnson grass and Ryegrass pollens. IgE reactivity was higher with pollen of Bahia grass than Bermuda grass, Johnson grass and Ryegrass. Patients showed asymmetric cross-inhibition of IgE reactivity with subtropical grass pollens that was not blocked by temperate grass pollen allergens indicating the presence of species-specific IgE binding sites of subtropical grass pollen allergens that are not represented in temperate grass pollens. Conclusions Subtropical grass pollens are more important allergen sources than temperate grass pollens for patients from a subtropical region. Targeting allergen-specific immunotherapy to subtropical grass pollen allergens in patients with allergic rhinitis in subtropical regions could improve treatment efficacy thereby reducing the burden of allergic rhinitis and asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Mary Davies
- Lung and Allergy Research Centre, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Princess Alexandra Hospital Clinical Division, Woolloongabba, QLD 4076, Australia.
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Annesi-Maesano I. Does urban asthma exist? How climatic changes and urban air pollution intervene on asthma and respiratory allergy. Multidiscip Respir Med 2011; 6:10-3. [PMID: 22958410 PMCID: PMC3463067 DOI: 10.1186/2049-6958-6-1-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2011] [Accepted: 01/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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