[Investigation of the frequency of Japanese cedar pollinosis among university students in the year of freshmen and fourth grade].
In investigations into Japanese cedar pollinosis, research on atmospheric pollen counts has been made in various parts of our country and progress in studies on the dominant causes has been made from the antigenic point of view. However, research into pollinosis of this kind from the physical point of view has been scant. The author has investigated the frequency of cases with Japanese cedar pollinosis every year since 1988 on the occasion of the periodical health examination of freshmen at our university. In this report are stated the results of the investigation into the frequency of sufferers of this kind among the 624 fourth grade students who were the subjects of investigation in 1988. The percentage of specific antibody carriers was found to have increased from 28.2% (1988) to 40.2% (1991), and the frequency of Japanese cedar pollinosis sufferers had also increased from 14.1% to 23.1%. In addition to this, 41 (43.6%) of the 94 students considered to be in danger of becoming sensitized to Japanese cedar pollen in 1988 had become pollinosis sufferers by 1991. This is significantly higher than the changes among the students considered to be in the borderline or symptom-free groups. From these results, it can be considered correct to regard subjects who are considered to be in danger of becoming sensitized as "reservists" to pollinosis. Follow up studies of and preventive treatment for these cases are necessary, because they are very likely to become pollinosis sufferers in the future.
Division of Internal Medicine, Health Administration Centre, Oita University.
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Nakamura
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology
D007073:Immunoglobulin E