Prevalence of pollinosis in the Basque Country

Area of Science:

• Allergy and Immunology
• Environmental Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Allergic diseases, particularly pollinosis, have seen a global increase in recent decades.
• The Basque Country, a region in northern Spain, presents distinct Atlantic and Oceanic climatic zones.
• Understanding regional variations in pollen sensitization is crucial for public health management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of sensitization to Poaceae pollen in the Basque Country.
• To investigate potential differences in prevalence based on climatic region, environment, and age.
• To identify clinical features associated with pollinosis.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 2216 participants aged 10-40 years.
• Data collection via validated personal interviews and questionnaires, including clinical history and allergy assessment.
• Analysis of prevalence rates across different demographic and geographic subgroups.

Main Results:

• The overall prevalence of pollinosis in the Basque Country was 10.6%, with no significant gender-based differences.
• Prevalence was higher in the Oceanic climate area (13.61%) compared to the Atlantic area (9.71%).
• Pollinosis was more common in younger age groups (10-20 and 20-30 years) and showed no difference between rural and urban settings.

Conclusions:

• Poaceae pollen sensitization affects over 10% of the population in the Basque Country, with notable climatic variations.
• Factors such as Rosaceae fruit/nut sensitivity, family history of atopy, and co-existing asthma symptoms are significant indicators of pollinosis.
• These findings highlight the importance of regional climate and specific clinical markers in understanding and managing pollinosis.