Year of Publication | 2016 | Division | Applied Meteorology Research Division |
---|---|---|---|
Title | A Six-Year Study on the Changes in Airborne Pollen Counts and Skin Positivity Rates in Korea: 2008–2013 | ||
Author | Hye Jung Park | ||
Coauthor | Jae-Hyun Lee, Kyung Hee Park, Kyu Rang Kim, Mae Ja Han, Hosoeng Choe, Jae-Won Oh, Chein-Soo Hong | ||
ISBN(ISSN) | 0513-5796 | Name of Journal | Yonsei Medical Journal |
Category (International/Domestic) | SCI | Vol. No. | 57(3) |
Research Project Title | 응용기상기술개발연구 (2016년) | Publication Date | 2016-05-01 |
Keywords | Allergy, change, correlation, pollen, skin positivity rate, Seoul |
Purpose: The occurrence of pollen allergy is subject to exposure to pollen, which shows regional and temporal variations. We eval\-uated the changes in pollen counts and skin positivity rates for 6 years, and explored the correlation between their annual rates of change.
Materials and Methods: We assessed the number of pollen grains collected in Seoul, and retrospectively reviewed the results of 4442 skin-prick tests conducted at the Severance Hospital Allergy-Asthma Clinic from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2013.
Results: For 6 years, the mean monthly total pollen count showed two peaks, one in May and the other in September. Pollen count for grasses also showed the same trend. The pollen counts for trees, grasses, and weeds changed annually, but the changes were not significant. The annual skin positivity rates in response to pollen from grasses and weeds increased significantly over the 6 years. Among trees, the skin positivity rates in response to pollen from walnut, popular, elm, and alder significantly increased over the 6 years. Further, there was a significant correlation between the annual rate of change in pollen count and the rate of change in skin positivity rate for oak and hop Japanese.
Conclusion: The pollen counts and skin positivity rates should be monitored, as they have changed annually. Oak and hop Japanese, which showed a significant correlation with the annual rate of change in pollen count and the rate of change in skin positivity rate over the 6 years may be considered the major allergens in Korea.