Michael Katotomichelakis1, Christos Nikolaidis2, Michael Makris3, Nan Zhang4, Xenophon Aggelides3, Theodoros C Constantinidis2, Claus Bachert4, Vassilios Danielides1. 1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece. 2. Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece. 3. Allergy Unit "D. Kalogeromitros", 2nd Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical School, University of Athens, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece. 4. Upper Airway Research Laboratory, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There are major differences in the clinical pattern of allergic rhinitis (AR) patients among countries, reflecting local aerobiological conditions. We analyzed the correlation between airborne pollen concentrations of the Western Thrace/northeast (NE) Greece region with symptoms scores in AR patients. The above data is the first provided for the Mediterranean climate of Greece and reflects the clinical significance of pollen calendar in everyday clinical practice. METHODS: An annual pollen calendar of the most important outdoor aeroallergens (grasses, trees, and weeds) was developed, using a Burkard volumetric spore trap. A total of 168 AR patients were studied and asked to evaluate their symptoms and main seasonal appearance. Sensitization prevalence to pollen species was detected by skin prick tests. Symptoms were evaluated by Total 5 Symptoms Score (T5SS) and correlated to aerobiological data. RESULTS: As far as the pollen calendar is concerned, the highest total percentages of pollens were recorded for olive (24.02% of total), oak (13.74%), grasses (9.08%), and cypress (7.63%). Regarding patients' sensitivities, the most prevalent ones were to grasses (56.0%), olive (43.5%), wall pellitory (24.4%), and cypress (16.7%) antigens. A strong significant correlation between total pollen counts and patients' T5SS (r = 0.874, p < 0.001) was observed. Moreover, strong significant correlations between T5SS and pollen counts were also found for the most prevalent species, including grasses, olive, and Parietaria allergens (r = 0.627, p = 0.029; r = 0.695, p = 0.012; and r = 0.656, p = 0.021, respectively). CONCLUSION: Patients' symptoms scores were found to be significantly correlated to pollen counts. Given data are important for the management of AR patients who live in similar Mediterranean climate conditions.
BACKGROUND: There are major differences in the clinical pattern of allergic rhinitis (AR) patients among countries, reflecting local aerobiological conditions. We analyzed the correlation between airborne pollen concentrations of the Western Thrace/northeast (NE) Greece region with symptoms scores in AR patients. The above data is the first provided for the Mediterranean climate of Greece and reflects the clinical significance of pollen calendar in everyday clinical practice. METHODS: An annual pollen calendar of the most important outdoor aeroallergens (grasses, trees, and weeds) was developed, using a Burkard volumetric spore trap. A total of 168 AR patients were studied and asked to evaluate their symptoms and main seasonal appearance. Sensitization prevalence to pollen species was detected by skin prick tests. Symptoms were evaluated by Total 5 Symptoms Score (T5SS) and correlated to aerobiological data. RESULTS: As far as the pollen calendar is concerned, the highest total percentages of pollens were recorded for olive (24.02% of total), oak (13.74%), grasses (9.08%), and cypress (7.63%). Regarding patients' sensitivities, the most prevalent ones were to grasses (56.0%), olive (43.5%), wall pellitory (24.4%), and cypress (16.7%) antigens. A strong significant correlation between total pollen counts and patients' T5SS (r = 0.874, p < 0.001) was observed. Moreover, strong significant correlations between T5SS and pollen counts were also found for the most prevalent species, including grasses, olive, and Parietaria allergens (r = 0.627, p = 0.029; r = 0.695, p = 0.012; and r = 0.656, p = 0.021, respectively). CONCLUSION:Patients' symptoms scores were found to be significantly correlated to pollen counts. Given data are important for the management of AR patients who live in similar Mediterranean climate conditions.
Authors: Maryam Ali Al-Nesf; Dorra Gharbi; Hassan M Mobayed; Ramzy Mohammed Ali; Amjad Tuffaha; Blessing Reena Dason; Mehdi Adeli; Hisham A Sattar; Maria Del Mar Trigo Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-07-13 Impact factor: 3.752
Authors: Michael Katotomichelakis; Theodoros Iliou; Ioannis Karvelis; Evangelos Giotakis; Gerasimos Daniilides; Eleni Erkotidou; Christos Lazaridis; George K Anastassopoulos Journal: Med Sci Monit Date: 2017-10-16