Exposure to Cypress Pollens and Subsequent Symptoms: A Panel Study.

The objective of this panel study was to document the relationship between exposure to cypress pollen and allergic symptoms. The study group included 47 patients with allergy to cypress pollen who completed a daily diary and a weekly evaluation of quality of life (QoL) during the cypress pollen season. Different patients were included in three consecutive pollen seasons: 2014-2015, 2015-2016, and 2016-2017. Daily cypress pollen counts were obtained from the National Aerobiological Network. Air pollution and meteorological data were recorded on a daily basis. The pollen-symptoms relationship was quantified by calculating odds ratios for an increase of 1 log of grains of pollen/m3, taking into account potential confounding factors. The QoL score was expressed with a beta coefficient that increased with 1 grain of pollen/m3. There was a marked increase in rhinitis and ocular symptoms during the pollen season, with a plateau effect at high levels of exposure, but no relationship with bronchial symptoms. The QoL score had a linear and significant relationship with the cypress pollen count. We did not detect any threshold level. This panel study demonstrated a significant association between exposure to cypress pollens and allergic symptoms, with a plateau effect for high exposures.

© 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel.