Naslov
Allergic Rhinitis and Asthma in Southern Croatia: Impact of Sensitization to Ambrosia elatior

Autori
Cvitanović, Slavica ; Znaor, Ljubo ; Kanceljak-Macan, Božica ; Macan, Jelena ; Gudelj, Ivan ; Grbić, Dragica

Izvornik
Croatian Medical Journal (0353-9504) 48 (2007), 1; 68-75

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
Ambrosia elatior; airborne pollen; pollen count; seasonal allergic rhinitis; seasonal allergic asthma; skin prick test; specific IgE; pollen allergy

Sažetak
Aim. To identify pollen types in southern Croatia and investigate the impact of sensitization to Ambrosia elatior (A.elatior) on symptoms and treatment in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and/or asthma. Methods. The study recruited 120 patients from Split-Dalmatian County with seasonal rhinitis and asthma symptoms and positive skin prick test to one or more common inhaled allergens. Patients with positive skin prick test and increased specific IgE to A. elatior (N=56) were included in the follow-up study over the A. elatior pollen season. Rhinitis and asthma symptoms were scored and drug treatment recorded using standardized questionnaires. At the same time forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory flow in the first seconds (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF) and eosinophil count in peripheral blood were measured. Type and pollen concentration in the air over the nine-week pollen season of A. elatior were determined on the glass slides using the gravimetric method. The results were expressed as the proportion of A. elatior pollen in the total pollen found. Results. Fifty-six of 120 patients (46.7%) were sensitized to A. elatior. Its proportion in total pollen peaked to 12 % in the first week of September. Forty-one patients who completed the follow-up study showed a significantly higher score of symptoms during this peak period than in the beginning of the pollen season for seasonal allergic rhinitis (median &plusmn ; ; interquartile range, 50&plusmn ; 11 vs 7&plusmn ; 4 ; P<0.001) and for seasonal allergic asthma (12&plusmn ; 2 vs 0&plusmn ; 0 ; P<0.001). Conclusion. A. elatior is an important cause of seasonal allergic rhinitis and asthma and must be included in the routine diagnostic procedures in southern Croatia.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kliničke medicinske znanosti, Javno zdravstvo i zdravstvena zaštita

POVEZANOST RADA