Ventes de médicaments anti-allergiques et comptes polliniques : un double indicateur de la prévalence des pollinoses

Abstract

L'objectif de cette étude a été de mettre en évidence, en Bourgogne, les principales périodes de vente des médicaments anti-allergiques et de les comparer aux pollens présents dans l'air, afin de définir la part des différents taxons dans le développement des symptômes de pollinose. L'étude a été réalisée à partir des comptes polliniques hebdomadaires de quatre capteurs volumétriques de type Hirst et des ventes de médicaments anti-allergiques regroupés en quatre classes (ophtalmologie, ORL, antihistaminiques et antiasthmatiques). Les résultats ont montré que les arbres à pollinisation hivernale occasionnaient surtout des ventes d'antiasthmatiques ; puis l'arrivée des taxons arboréens de printemps entraîne une recrudescence des ventes de toutes les spécialités. La pollinisation des Poacées suscite également une très forte demande, mais qui ne concerne pas les médicaments de l'asthme. La pollinisation du châtaignier accroît les besoins en antihistaminiques et antiasthmatiques. Enfin l'ambroisie a occasionné un pic de demande d'antiasthmatique en 1998 et la prévalence croissante de ce taxon incite à renforcer la vigilance. The aim of this study was to determine the main sales periods for anti-allergic drugs in a defined region, i.e., Burgundy, and to compare these with findings with the amount of pollen present in the air and thereby establish the role of the different taxa in the development of pollinosis symptoms, both on a seasonal and on an interannual basis. The investigation covered the period 1996–1998, and was based on weekly pollen counts from four volumetric Hirst traps and on the sales of anti-allergic drugs, which were divided into four categories: ophthalmological, otorhinolaryngological, antihistaminic and anti-asthmatic drugs. It was noted that the volume of sales varied considerably according to the period of the year. The results showed that late winter, early-pollinating trees were the cause of the increased sale of otorhinolaryngological, anti-asthmatic and also some ophthalmological drugs. Spring-pollinating trees led to a renewed demand for drugs to treat a wide range of allergies. Grass pollination also resulted in a strong demand for appropriate treatment, which did not, however, involve anti-asthmatic drugs. Chestnut pollination was found to increase the need for antihistaminic and anti-asthmatic drugs. Later-pollinating species did not seem to significantly affect health as they were mostly nettles, which have a low allergic profile. Finally, it was observed that ragweed was responsible for a peak in anti-asthmatic drug demand in 1998; the increasing prevalence of this plant calls for more careful monitoring of the evolution in the ragweed pollen count, and closer surveillance of the individuals in whom the allergy has been determined by screening methods.