Abstract
BackgroundGrass pollen allergy is the most widespread pollen allergy in the world. It still remains unknown in which aspects and in which extent symptoms from grass pollen allergy differ throughout the grass pollen season, although individual sensitization profiles of persons concerned are known for a long time. MethodsThe crowd-sourced symptom data of users of the Patient's Hayfever Diary were filtered for significant positive correlated users to grass pollen from Vienna (Austria) during the respective grass pollen seasons from 2014, 2015, and 2016. These symptom data were the foundation for 3 statistical approaches in order to examine different sections of the grass pollen season defined either by grass pollen data, phenology (grass species determination in the field), or symptom data itself. ResultsResults from all 3 approaches are similar and come to the same major conclusion. The symptom peak of most users is observed in the second section of the grass pollen season (70%), followed by the first section (20%), and with the least user numbers (10%) the third section. The profiles from single users entering data for all 3 years under study are robust and show a comparable behavior from year to year. ConclusionGrass taxa such as Arrhenatherum, Festuca, and Lolium seem to induce the highest symptom severity in most users during the second section of the grass pollen season. Poa and Dactylis are the main triggers for the first section of the grass pollen season. The flower of Phleum und Cynodon is documented for the last section of the grass pollen season. Crowd-sourced symptom data is the prerequisite for personal pollen information to consider the individuality of grass pollen allergy sufferers. Phenological monitoring is needed to provide information on specific grass taxa of importance to allergic persons.
Highlights
Pollen allergy is a global health problem[1] and affects a significant percentage within the population of industrialized countries ranging from 5 to 30%.2 The frequency of pollen allergies is still presumed to rise[3] as well as its impact on the health care system and other socioeconomic factors.[1,4] In Austria about 1 million people out of 8 million inhabitants suffer from pollen allergies.[5]
The average number of days entered by the Patient's Hayfever Diary (PHD) users amount up to 49 days during the grass pollen season
The year 2014 was characterized by an average grass pollen season with a duration of 81 days and recorded 104 PHD users with a significant positive correlation to grass pollen
Summary
Pollen allergy is a global health problem[1] and affects a significant percentage within the population of industrialized countries ranging from 5 to 30%.2 The frequency of pollen allergies is still presumed to rise[3] as well as its impact on the health care system and other socioeconomic factors.[1,4] In Austria about 1 million people out of 8 million inhabitants suffer from pollen allergies.[5]. Pollen allergy is a global health problem[1] and affects a significant percentage within the population of industrialized countries ranging from 5 to 30%.2. The sweet grass family (Poaceae) is one of the largest plant families worldwide[9] and covers up to 40% of Earth's vegetation.[10] 11 groups of grass pollen allergens have been identified up to now,[7] and extensive cross-reactivity is documented among allergens of different grasses.[11]. Grass pollen allergy is the most widespread pollen allergy in the world. It still remains unknown in which aspects and in which extent symptoms from grass pollen allergy differ throughout the grass pollen season, individual sensitization profiles of persons concerned are known for a long time
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