[Regional comparison of patient-reported outcomes in Japanese cedar pollinosis].
BACKGROUND
There is little information about the relationship between local pollen counts and pollinosis symptoms of the local patients. In this study, we compared patient-reported outcomes (PROs) of Japanese cedar pollinosis (JCP) according to regions.


METHODS
The study was conducted between February 24 and March 8, 2003 (peak pollen season), and 1200 patients were recruited from 15 ENT clinical sites in 4 regions : central Osaka (n = 576), southern Osaka (n = 195), northern Wakayama (n = 234), and southern Wakayama (n = 195). PROs consisted of nasal symptoms, ocular symptom, learning and work impairment, and QOL (SF-36).


RESULTS
In non-treatment group, there were significant differences in ocular symptom and learning and work impairment among regions. On the other hand, patients with longer duration of treatment had better symptom relief regardless of pollen level in early treatment group. As to QOL, SF-36 summary scores did not differ among regions in both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that patients without early treatment seemed to be affected by pollen level on their ocular symptom and its related outcomes. In patients with early treatment, however, the treatment duration had bigger impact on PROs than the local pollen counts.
Kakutani
Chieko
C
School of Allied Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Osaka University.
Ogino
Satoshi
S
Dake
Yoshihiro
Y
Ikeda
Hiroki
H
Enomoto
Tadao
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D032485:Cryptomeria; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011058:Pollen / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011788:Quality of Life; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome