title: The association between asthma-related emergency department visits and pollen and mold spore concentrations in the Bronx, 2001-2008.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The incidence of asthma morbidity and mortality is highest among minority inner-city populations. Among New York City's five boroughs, the Bronx has the highest rate of asthma-related hospitalizations and mortality. Outdoor air pollutants have been associated with increased asthma-related ED visits (AREDV) in this borough.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To better understand the contribution of pollen and mold to asthma severity in the Bronx.
  
  
  METHODS
  The numbers of daily adult and pediatric AREDV and asthma-related hospitalizations (ARH) from 2001 to 2008 were obtained from two Bronx hospitals. AREDV and ARH data were acquired retrospectively through the Clinical Looking Glass data analysis software. Daily counts for tree, grass and weed pollen and mold spore counts from March 2001 to October 2008 were obtained from the Armonk counting station. All data were statistically analyzed and graphed as daily values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were a total of 42 065 AREDV and 10 132 ARH at both Bronx hospitals. There were spring and winter peaks of increased AREDV. Tree pollen counts significantly correlated with total AREDV (rho = 0.3639, p < 0.001), and pediatric (rho = 0.33, p < 0.001) and adult AREDV (rho = 0.28, p < 0.001). ARH positively correlated with tree pollen counts (Spearman rho = 0.2389, p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There exists a significant association between spring AREDV and ARH and tree pollen concentrations in a highly urbanized area such as the Bronx. Early anticipation of spring pollen peaks based on ongoing surveillance could potentially guide clinical practice and minimize asthma-related ED visits in the Bronx.
authors.affiliation: Allergy/Immunology Division and.
authors.forename: Sunit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jariwala
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Toh
authors.forename: Mili
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shum
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de Vos
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zou
authors.forename: Sayantani
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sindher
authors.forename: Payal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Alexi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Geevarghese
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tavdy
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rosenstreich
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000276:immunology; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D057685:Plant Weeds; D006109:Poaceae; D011058:Pollen / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013172:Spores, Fungal / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014197:Trees
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D000485:Allergens