Premium
“Whole” vs. “fragmented” approach to EAACI pollen season definitions: A multicenter study in six Southern European cities
Author(s) -
Hoffmann Tara Maria,
Acar Şahin Aydan,
Aggelidis Xenophon,
Arasi Stefania,
Barbalace Andrea,
Bourgoin Anne,
Bregu Blerina,
Brighetti Maria Antonia,
Caeiro Elsa,
Caglayan Sozmen Sule,
Caminiti Lucia,
Charpin Denis,
Couto Mariana,
Delgado Luís,
Di Rienzo Businco Andrea,
Dimier Claire,
Dimou Maria V.,
Fonseca João A.,
Goksel Ozlem,
Guvensen Aykut,
Hernandez Dolores,
Jang Dah Tay,
Kalpaklioglu Fusun,
Lame Blerta,
Llusar Ruth,
Makris Michael P.,
Mazon Angel,
Mesonjesi Eris,
Nieto Antonio,
Öztürk Ayse,
Pahus Laurie,
Pajno Giovanni Battista,
Panasiti Ilenia,
Panetta Valentina,
Papadopoulos Nikolaos G.,
Pellegrini Elisabetta,
Pelosi Simone,
Pereira Ana Margarida,
Pereira Mariana,
Pinar Munevver,
Pfaar Oliver,
Potapova Ekaterina,
Priftanji Alfred,
Psarros Fotis,
Sackesen Cansin,
Sfika Ifigenia,
Suarez Javier,
Thibaudon Michel,
Travaglini Alessandro,
Tripodi Salvatore,
Verdier Valentine,
Villella Valeria,
Xepapadaki Paraskevi,
Yazici Duygu,
Matricardi Paolo M.,
Dramburg Stephanie
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/all.14153
Subject(s) - multicenter study , pollen , medicine , geography , biology , ecology , randomized controlled trial
Background The adequate definition of pollen seasons is essential to facilitate a correct diagnosis, treatment choice, and outcome assessment in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. A position paper by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) proposed season definitions for Northern and Middle Europe. Objective To test the pollen season definitions proposed by EAACI in six Mediterranean cities for seven pollen taxa . Methods As part of the @IT.2020 multi‐center study, pollen counts for Poaceae, Oleaceae, Fagales, Cupressaceae, Urticaceae ( Parietaria spp. ), and Compositae ( Ambrosia spp. , Artemisia spp.) were collected from January 1 to December 31, 2018. Based on these data, pollen seasons were identified according to EAACI criteria. A unified monitoring period for patients in AIT trials was created and assessed for feasibility. Results The analysis revealed a great heterogeneity between the different locations in terms of pattern and length of the examined pollen seasons. Further, we found a fragmentation of pollen seasons in several segments (max. 8) separated by periods of low pollen counts (intercurrent periods). Potential monitoring periods included often many recording days with low pollen exposure (max. 341 days). Conclusion The Mediterranean climate leads to challenging pollen exposure times. Monitoring periods for AIT trials based on existing definitions may include many intermittent days with low pollen concentrations. Therefore, it is necessary to find an adapted pollen season definition as individual solution for each pollen and geographical area.