Epidemiology of cypress pollen allergy in Montpellier.
BACKGROUND
Cupressaceae pollen allergy is a worldwide winter pollinosis. Exposure to cypress pollen has increased enormously during recent decades, and cypress pollen allergy has become a major health problem, especially in Mediterranean countries.


OBJECTIVE
We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of cypress pollen sensitization and allergy in the Montpellier area and the symptoms presented by sensitized patients.


METHODS
We included all 6185 consecutive patients who were referred to our center for any allergic disorder during a 36-month period. For each patient, we evaluated skin prick test results, allergy symptoms, pulmonary function test results, and the need for allergen immunotherapy.


RESULTS
We found that 20.7% of patients were sensitized to cypress pollen and 46.4% presented symptoms during the pollen season. The main symptoms were rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma. Oral allergy syndrome to peach was detected in 4% of sensitized and symptomatic patients. Allergen immunotherapy was necessary to control symptoms in 57.9% of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Cypress pollen allergy is one of the leading causes of respiratory allergy in the Montpellier area. Symptoms are often severe and include pollen-induced asthma. Moreover,many patients need allergen immunotherapy in order to achieve better control of their symptoms.
Department de Pneumologie, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve and INSERM U657, University Hospital of Montpellier, Montpellier, Fran
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Caimmi
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Raschetti
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Pons
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Dhivert-Donnadieu
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Bousquet
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Bousquet
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Demoly
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D052179:Antigens, Plant / Q000276:immunology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D029781:Cupressus / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011058:Pollen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D015995:Prevalence; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant