title: Seasonal allergic symptoms and their relation to pollen exposure in south-east France.
abstract: In order to evaluate the relationship between pollen exposure and prevalence of allergic respiratory symptoms, we performed a cross-sectional epidemiological study in 2 areas with contrasted exposure to cypress and grass pollens. The study population consisted of 5427 subjects 18 to 65-years-old representative of the general population. All answered an abridged version of the 1978 ATS questionnaire and a sample had a skin test evaluation including grass and cypress pollens. Prevalence of hay fever symptoms was equal to 31.5% and 14.1%, respectively, in exposed and less exposed community (P < 0.001). Prevalence of hay fever symptoms together with a positive skin test to pollen was also significantly higher in the exposed (13.6%) vs less exposed community (5.5%, P < 0.001). In contrast, overall prevalence of asthma was equal to 4.5% and 3.4%, respectively. Prevalence of asthma with positive skin tests was also not statistically significant, equal to 2.5% and 1.9%, respectively. Thus, high exposure to pollen is a risk factor for developing hay fever but not asthma.
authors.affiliation: Département des Maladies Respiratoires, Hôpital Sainte-Marguerite, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Charpin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mallea
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Sutra
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Balansard
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vervloet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D006109:Poaceae; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011897:Random Allocation; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D012307:Risk Factors; D014197:Trees