Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2011 Jun;31(2):93-104.

Longitudinal Changes of Sensitization Rates to Inhalant Allergens in Patients with Allergic Diseases from Gwangju and Chonnam Areas: Their Association with Annual Changes in Temperature

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Recent investigations have reported that climate changes may influence the development of allergic diseases.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to investigate how sensitization rates to common inhalant allergens would change in association with the alteration in ambient temperature with the passage of time. METHOD: We included 1,575 subjects who were residing in Gwangju and Chonnam areas and visited our hospital due to allergic symptoms between 2003 and 2008. The data on ambient temperature were obtained from a regional meteorological station. Skin prick tests were performed. Subjects were classified into 5 groups according to the study year: the 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008 groups. RESULT: The regional mean temperatures in Gwangju and Chonnam areas gradually increased with the passage of time. In subjects aged <40 years, sensitization rates to tree pollens such as beech (P<0.05) and alder (P<0.05) and grass pollens such as rye grass (P<0.05) and orchard grass (P<0.05) significantly increased. There were positive correlations between sensitization rates to alder (Rs=0.90, P<0.05), beech (Rs=0.90, P<0.05) or rye grass (Rs=0.90, P<0.05) and the corresponding mean monthly temperature. However, the frequency of atopy and the sensitization rates to dust mites, fungi, cockroach and weed pollens did not increase.
CONCLUSION
Sensitization rates to tree and grass pollens have recently increased in Gwangju and Chonnam areas, which might be associated with global climate changes.

MeSH Terms

Aged
Allergens
Alnus
Climate Change
Cockroaches
Dactylis
Dust
Fagus
Fungi
Global Warming
Humans
Immunization
Lolium
Mites
Poaceae
Pollen
Skin
Allergens
Dust