A Double Threat to Allergy Patients

TOPLINE:

Patients with pollen allergy who were exposed to higher concentrations of grass pollen were more likely to have physical symptoms and impairments in day-to-day life.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers conducted an observational pilot study to assess the association between daily grass pollen concentrations and physical symptoms and daily life impairments experienced by patients with pollen allergy.
• The analysis included 53 patients (mean age, 41.8 years; 68% women) with grass pollen-induced allergic rhinitis in Bavaria, Germany, evaluated between May and July 2022.
• Researchers collected data for the pollen season 2022 from the Electronic Pollen Information Network of Bavaria. An app-based questionnaire was used to collect patients’ data on allergic symptoms and treatment measures.
• They used a physical symptoms index to assess patients’ daily eye and nose symptoms and a daily overall impairments index to assess impairments in performance, sleep quality, and activities.

TAKEAWAY:

• The average grass pollen concentration measured between early May and late July 2022 was 37.1 pollen particles/m³.
• A significant association was observed between grass pollen concentration and both the physical symptoms index (regression coefficient [beta], 0.002; P < .001) and impairments in day-to-day life (beta, 0.00064; P < .048).
• Additionally, pollen levels were significantly associated with performance impairment (beta, 0.0009; P = .027); no significant association was observed with sleep or daily activities.

IN PRACTICE:

“To enhance clinical practice, it is essential to address the gap in adequate medical care for pollen allergy patients and prioritize patient education on recognizing and managing allergic rhinitis,” the authors wrote. “Advancements in technology-assisted self-monitoring could further empower patients in managing their symptoms and understanding the interplay between environmental triggers and allergic complaints,” they added.

SOURCE:

Jonas Huss, with the Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Munich, Germany, was the corresponding author of the study, which was published online on May 28 in Scientific Reports. 

LIMITATIONS:

The study relied on physician-diagnosed allergies and self-reported patient data. Additionally, the absence of individualized air pollution or weather data, a limited sample size, and strict exclusion criteria further limited the generalizability of the findings.

DISCLOSURES:

The study was funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Health and Care. The authors reported having no conflicts of interest.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.