Allergy Asthma Respir Dis.  2016 Nov;4(6):415-422. 10.4168/aard.2016.4.6.415.

Evaluation of the association between pollen count and the outbreak of allergic disease

• Kang HN
• Yun HS
• Choi YJ
• Oh JW
• Min UY
• Heo YS
• Lee YS
• Kim M
• Kim KR
• Kim BJ

• KMID: 2361256
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4168/aard.2016.4.6.415

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study focused on the evaluation of the relation between pollen concentration and the outbreak of allergic disease (symptom index), and this outcome would be necessary to upgrade risk grade for the pollen forecasting system.
METHODS
Airborne particles carrying allergens, such as pollen, were collected daily at the Seoul and Guri area by using 7-day Burkard samplers for 6 years. A total of 596 Subjects were recruited from Hanyang University Seoul Hospital (n=144 for spring, n=139 for autumn), and Hanyang University Guri Hospital (n=157 for spring, n=156 for autumn). Symptom index was evaluated and recorded by phone calling to study subjects daily or asking questionnaire when they visit outpatient clinic every week. Statistical analysis of data was performed by using correlation coefficients and regression models with time series graph.
RESULTS
Two peak seasons of pollen concentration were May and September in Korea. In skin prick tests, the sensitization rate to ragweed pollen was gradually increased in children. In the same period, sensitization rates to airborne pollen, especially oak, birch for spring, and Japanese hop for autumn were increased annually. There was a significantly relationship between symptom index of allergic patients and allergic pollen concentrations in this study. Especially symptom index was significantly correlated to the concentration of oak pollen of day 1 in spring and to the concentration of Japanese hop pollen of day 0 in autumn.
CONCLUSION
Sensitization rates to pollens increased annually. There is a significant relationship between allergy symptom index and pollen concentration. There remains to confirm the Korean own risk grade of pollen allergy.

Keyword

Pollen; Pollen allergy; Risk grade; Symptom index

MeSH Terms

Allergens
Ambrosia
Ambulatory Care Facilities
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Betula
Child
Forecasting
Humans
Hypersensitivity
Korea
Pollen*
Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal
Seasons
Seoul
Skin
Allergens

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Sensitization rate to allergy pollen in this study (2010–2015).

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  Fig. 2 The correlation between allergic pollen count and symptom (Sx) index in Seoul (1. March to 15. November 2013). (A) Allergic pollen of tree, (B) pine pollen, (C) pollen of allergic plants except pine, and (D) allergic pollen of weeds.

• 

  Fig. 3 The correlation between allergic pollen count and symptom (Sx) index in Guri (1. March to 15. November 2013). (A) Allergic pollen of tree, (B) pine pollen, (C) pollen of allergic plants except pine, and (D) allergic pollen of weeds.

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