[NATIONAL INTERNET SURVEY ON THE STATUS OF CEDAR POLLEN ALLERGY PATIENTS]

Although the prevalence of cedar pollinosis (CP) is increasing in Japan, some patients self-medicate with over-the-counter drugs after medical diagnosis, making it difficult for healthcare providers to grasp the actual situation. The aim of this study was to clarify the actual conditions of CP patients and assess the current status of sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT).

We conducted a nationwide Internet survey of adult patients with CP.

A total of 5543 participants (mean age 45.4 years) self-reported having CP. Of these, 58.0% had received a physician's diagnosis, and 20.2% had not undergone allergy testing. In terms of severity, 14.8% were classified as "most severe" and 17.5% as "severe." Regarding treatment, 39.4% used over-the-counter medications and 38.3% visited medical institutions. The most frequently reported treatment-related issue was cost (36.2%). Additionally, 42.0% of patients were unaware of cedar SLIT.

Our survey revealed that approximately 20% of CP-diagnosed patients had not undergone testing. Awareness of SLIT was insufficient, indicating a need for greater dissemination of information about treatment options for CP.