Background: In allergic rhinitis, a relevant outcome providing information on the effectiveness of interventions is needed. In MASK-air (Mobile Airways Sentinel Network), a visual analogue scale (VAS) for work is used as a relevant outcome. This study aimed to assess the performance of the work VAS work by comparing VAS work with other VAS measurements and symptom-medication scores obtained concurrently. Methods: All consecutive MASK-air users in 23 countries from 1 June 2016 to 31 October 2018 were included (14 189 users; 205 904 days). Geolocalized users selfassessed daily symptom control using the touchscreen functionality on their smart phone to click on VAS scores (ranging from 0 to 100) for overall symptoms (global), nose, eyes, asthma and work. Two symptom-medication scores were used: the modified EAACI CSMS score and the MASK control score for rhinitis. To assess data quality, the intra-individual response variability (IRV) index was calculated. Results: A strong correlation was observed between VAS work and other VAS. The highest levels for correlation with VAS work and variance explained in VAS work were found with VAS global, followed by VAS nose, eye and asthma. In comparison with VAS global, the mCSMS and MASK control score showed a lower correlation with VAS work. Results are unlikely to be explained by a low quality of data arising from repeated VAS measures. Conclusions: VAS work correlates with other outcomes (VAS global, nose, eye and asthma) but less well with a symptom-medication score. VAS work should be considered as a potentially useful AR outcome in intervention studies.

Background: Diet might influence the risk of allergic diseases. Evidence from developing countries with high prevalence of childhood asthma is scant. Methods: Information on wheeze, rhinitis, and eczema was collected from 3209 children aged 6–7 years in 2005, who were taking part in the International Study on Asthma and Allergy in Children (ISAAC) in Colombia. Intake frequency of twelve food groups was assessed. Associations between each food group and current wheeze, rhino-conjunctivitis, and eczema were investigated with multiple logistic regressions, adjusting for potential confounders. Simes’ procedure was used to test for multiple comparisons. Results: 14.9% of children reported wheeze in the last 12 months, 16% rhino-conjunctivitis, and 22% eczema. Eczema was negatively associated with consumption of fresh fruits and pulses three or more times per week (adjusted Odds ratio (aOR): 0.64; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.49 to 0.83; p value = 0.004; and aOR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.47 to 0.80; p value < 0.001, respectively). Current wheeze was negatively associated with intake of potatoes (aOR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.31 to 0.62, p value = 0.005), whilst this outcome was positively associated with consumption of fast food (aOR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.32 to 2.35, p value = 0.001). These associations remained statistically significant after controlling for multiple comparisons. Conclusions: A traditional diet might have a protective effect against eczema and wheeze in Colombian children, whilst intake of fast foods increases this risk.

Latin-American children with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis showed sleep disorders identified by the CSHQ when compared to normal controls. Despite being treated, asthma causes sleep impairment, especially when uncontrolled.

Latin-American children with AD have sleep disorders despite treatment, and those with moderate to severe forms had marked changes in CSHQ.

RATIONALE: Juniperus ashei (JA), mountain cedar, pollen is a major allergen in the south central states. JA trees cover millions of acres, especially in central Texas. This study was undertaken to estimate pollen production in JA woodlands to develop improved pollen-forecasting systems to warn of potential exposure risks. METHODS: Air sampling was conducted within natural populations of JA using Burkard samplers at four sites in Texas and two in Oklahoma during the 2009-2010 JA pollen season. Slides were prepared and analyzed using standard methods. Fieldwork in adjacent JA woodlands examined tree density and male cone production; cone samples were collected to determine pollen per cone. RESULTS: There was a great deal of variability in airborne pollen concentrations and pollen production. Junction, TX registered the highest average daily pollen concentration for the season at 863 pollen/m 3 , the highest single daily concentration at 18,073 pollen/m 3 and the highest hourly concentration at 70,367 pollen/m 3 . Peak seasonal levels were recorded on Jan 18-19 at five locations. Cone production depended on tree size, percent live vegetation, and location, ranging from 15,000 to 1.3 million cones per tree. Preliminary estimates of pollen production found 300,000 to 400,000 pollen/cone resulting in possibly 500 billion pollen/tree. Using these estimates, the JA woodlands around Junction were found to have the highest potential pollen production at 2.32310 13 pollen/hectare, which supports the air sampling data. CONCLUSION: Data from airborne pollen levels and cone production will be used in forecast model development. Additional work is needed to determine year-to-year changes in pollen and cone production.