Aerobiología del polen alergénico y polinosis en SantanderRelación de la agudización del asma bronquial con factores del ambiente exterior

  1. Benito Rica, Valentín de
Supervised by:
  1. Ignacio Antépara Ercoreca Director
  2. Jesús Soto Torres Director

Defence university: Universidad de Cantabria

Fecha de defensa: 12 December 2003

Committee:
  1. José Hernández Armas Chair
  2. Domingo González-Lamuño Leguina Secretary
  3. Pedro Gamboa Setién Committee member
  4. M. Rubio Sotés Committee member
  5. Jesús Merino Pérez Committee member

Type: Thesis

Teseo: 102884 DIALNET lock_openUCrea editor

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the atmospheric pollen counts in Santander and their effect on this population. METHODS: Hirst volumetric method; analysis of the effect of weather on the pollen counts from 1998 to 2002 by linear association measures; skin tests; association between antihistamine sales and pollen counts; association between daily and weekly pollen counts and weather and pollution variables and Emergency Room admittances caused by rhinitis-conjunctivitis and asthma in children. Survey about asthma symptoms (IUATLD) and indoor risks for asthma. RESULTS: Average annual pollen count was 8,604. Poaceae family predominated (28%). Maximum temperature was the only explanatory variable for pollen counts during its period. All the hay fever patients were sensitized to poaceae. We found a relationship between monthly pollen counts and monthly antihistamine sales (rs= 0.7; p<0.01) and daily and weekly association with admittances for rhinitis-conjunctivitis in children and adults. Admittances to E.R. caused by asthma in children (2396) and in adults (1665) were more frequent from september to december. During the period from may to july the asthma admittances of children were associated with weekly poaceae counts and weekly temperature. Prevalence of asthma symptoms in adults was 15% (9.8 � 20.2). Symptoms were more frequent among those with a pet: 41% vs 14%; OR: 4,2 (1.9-9.2) and among people who had lived in Santander during their first ten years of life: 22% vs 11%; OR: 2.9 (1.1-7.5). CONCLUSIONS: Poaceae pollen is the predominant in the atmosphere of Santander, all the hay fever patients are sensitised to it and there is a relationship between it and rhinitis-conjunctivitis in children and adults and between it and asthma in children. There is a high prevalence of symptoms of asthma in Santander; indoor factors are probably involved.