Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2025
A Component-resolved Diagnostic Approach for a Study on Grass Pollen Allergens in Chinese Southerners with Allergic Rhinitis and/or Asthma
Published on: June 4, 2017
Association between grass, tree and weed pollen and asthma health outcomes in Adelaide, South Australia: a time
Monika Nitschke1,2, Keith Brian Gordon Dear3, Kamalesh Venugopal4
1School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia monika.nitschke@sa.gov.au.
Objectives:
We aim to establish daily risk estimates of the relationships between grass, tree and weed pollen and asthma health outcomes.
Design:
Time series regression analysis of exposure and health outcomes using interaction by month to determine risk estimates all year round.
Setting:
Metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia.
Participants:
Health outcomes for asthma are based on 15 years of hospital admissions, 13 years emergency presentations and ambulance callouts. In adults (≥18 years), there were 10 381 hospitalisations, 26 098 emergency department (ED) presentations and 11 799 ambulance callouts and in children (0-17 years), 22 114, 39 813 and 3774, respectively.
Outcome Measures:
The cumulative effect of 7 day lags was calculated as the sum of the coefficients and reported as incidence rate ratio (IRR) related to an increase in 10 grains of pollen/m3.
Results:
In relation to grass pollen, children and adults were disparate in their timing of health effects. Asthma outcomes in children were positively related to grass pollen in May, and for adults in October. Positive associations with weed pollen in children was seen from February to May across all health outcomes. For adults, weed pollen-related health outcomes were restricted to February. Adults were not affected by tree pollen, while children's asthma morbidity was associated with tree pollen in August and September. In children, IRRs ranged from 1.14 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.21) for ED presentations for tree pollen in August to 1.98 (95% CI 1.06 to 3.72) for weed pollen in February. In adults, IRRs ranged from 1.28 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.62) for weed pollen in February to 1.31 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.57) for grass pollen in October.
Conclusion:
Monthly risk assessment indicated that most pollen-related asthma health outcomes in children occur in the colder part of the year, while adults are affected in the warm season. The findings indicate a need for year-round pollen monitoring and related health campaigns to provide effective public health prevention.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
01:24Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications
Classification of Asthma
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
02:06Allergic Reactions
01:30Asthma-IV: Diagnostic and Management
Clinical Assessment for Asthma:
This is the first step in diagnosing and managing asthma. It includes: