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Clinical and Translational Allergy
Published in: Clinical and Translational Allergy 1/2011

Open Access 01-12-2011 | Research

Difference in symptom severity between early and late grass pollen season in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis

Authors: Letty A de Weger, Thijs Beerthuizen, Jeannette M Gast-Strookman, Dirk T van der Plas, Ingrid Terreehorst, Pieter S Hiemstra, Jacob K Sont

Published in: Clinical and Translational Allergy | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

Background

For the development of forecasts for seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms, it is essential to understand the relationship between grass pollen concentrations and the symptoms of grass pollen allergic patients.

Objective

The aim of this study was to delineate this relationship between seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms and grass pollen concentrations in the Netherlands.

Methods

Grass pollen allergic patients (n = 80 [2007] - 84 [2008]) were enrolled into the study. They were asked to enter their seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms (runny nose, sneezing, blocked nose, post nasal drip, and eye symptoms) daily on a scale from 0 to 3 to the study centre either by short message service (SMS) or by internet from May-July 2007 and April-July 2008. Daily pollen counts were used to define the early and the late grass pollen season as the period 'before and during' respectively 'after' the first grass pollen peak (more than 150 pollen/m3).

Results

At similar grass pollen concentrations, the daily mean of the individual maximum symptom scores reported in the early season were higher as compared to that reported in the late season [differences of -0.41 (2007) and -0.30 (2008)]. This difference could not be explained by medication use by the patients nor by co-sensitization to birch.

Conclusions

We conclude that seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms at similar grass pollen concentrations are more severe in the early flowering season as compared to those in the late flowering season. This finding is not only relevant for development of forecasts for seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms but also for understanding symptom development and planning and analysis of clinical studies.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Difference in symptom severity between early and late grass pollen season in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis
Authors
Letty A de Weger
Thijs Beerthuizen
Jeannette M Gast-Strookman
Dirk T van der Plas
Ingrid Terreehorst
Pieter S Hiemstra
Jacob K Sont
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Clinical and Translational Allergy / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 2045-7022
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/2045-7022-1-18

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