Computational validation of the recently proposed pollen season definition criteria

Karatzas, Kostas; Riga, Marina; Berger, Uwe; Werchan, Matthias; Pfaar, Oliver; Bergmann, Karl‐Christian

doi:10.1111/all.13255

Cited by 21 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Such a definition has been proposed in a recently published Position Paper of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), summarized for birch (Betula) and grass (Poaceae) in Table . In the framework of this initiative, we have recently verified the robustness of these definitions for grass pollen in Germany, making use of 5‐year measurements from up to 40 monitoring stations in the country . Moreover, the correlation between birch and grass pollen concentrations and actual symptom loads, as reported by users of patient's hay‐fever diary (PHD), during the defined birch and grass pollen seasons, has been demonstrated for the Berlin–Brandenburg region in Germany for three consecutive years: 2014, 2015, and 2016 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Pollen season is reflected on symptom load for grass and birch pollen‐induced allergic rhinitis in different geographic areas—An EAACI Task Force Report

Pfaar

Karatzas

Bastl

et al. 2020

Allergy

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Background: The effectiveness of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) in seasonal allergic rhinitis (AR) depends on the definition of pollen exposure intensity or time period.We recently evaluated pollen and symptom data from Germany to examine the new definitions of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) on pollen season and peak pollen period start and end. Now, we aim to confirm the feasibility of these definitions to properly mirror symptom loads for grass and birch polleninduced allergic rhinitis in other European geographical areas such as Austria, Finland and France, and therefore their suitability for AIT and clinical practice support.Methods: Data from twenty-three pollen monitoring stations from three countries in Europe and for 3 years (2014-2016) were used to investigate the correlation between birch and grass pollen concentrations during the birch and grass pollen season defined via the EAACI criteria, and total nasal symptom and medication scores as reported with the aid of the patient's hay-fever diary (PHD). In addition, we conducted a statistical analysis, together with a graphical investigation, to reveal correlations and dependencies between the studied parameters. Results:The analysis demonstrated that the definitions of pollen season as well as peak pollen period start and end as proposed by the EAACI are correlated to polleninduced symptom loads reported by PHD users during birch and grass pollen season. A statistically significant correlation (slightly higher for birch) has been found between the Total Nasal Symptom and Medication Score (TNSMS) and the pollen concentration levels. Moreover, the maximum symptom levels occurred mostly within the peak pollen periods (PPP) following the EAACI criteria. Conclusions:Based on our analyses, we confirm the validity of the EAACI definitions on pollen season for both birch and grass and for a variety of geographical locations for the four European countries (including Germany from a previous publication) analyzed so far. On this basis, the use of the EAACI definitions is supported in future clinical trials on AIT as well as in daily routine for optimal patient care. Further evaluation of the EAACI criteria in other European regions is recommended. K E Y W O R D Sallergen immunotherapy, allergic rhinitis, geographic differences, peak pollen period, pollen concentration, pollen season

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Pollen season is reflected on symptom load for grass and birch pollen‐induced allergic rhinitis in different geographic areas—An EAACI Task Force Report

Pfaar

Karatzas

Bastl

et al. 2020

Allergy

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“…The demonstration of clinical efficacy of pollen AIT for hay fever sufferers in clinical trials depends on the effective definition of pollen seasons and thus defining time periods when allergic patients are exposed to pollen allergens in a clinically relevant way is crucial in clinical trials. A comprehensive and harmonized definition of pollen seasons has been proposed by an EAACI Position Paper, summarized for birch (Betula) and grass (Poaceae) in Table , and the robustness of these definitions for grass (Poaceae) pollen has been verified for Germany on the basis of 5‐year measurements coming from up to 40 monitoring stations in the country …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology definition on pollen season mirrors symptom load for grass and birch pollen‐induced allergic rhinitis

Karatzas

Katsifarakis

Riga

et al. 2018

Allergy

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“…This approach was continued in a study from Karatzas et al [ 3 , 4 •]. The recently established pollen season definitions for major aeroallergens (birch, grasses, cypress, olive, ragweed) in Europe by Pfaar et al [ 5 ••] were tested with symptom data.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Defining Pollen Seasons: Background and Recommendations

Bastl

Kmenta

Berger

2018

Curr Allergy Asthma Rep

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Purpose of ReviewThe definition of a pollen season determines the start and the end of the time period with a certain amount of pollen in the ambient air. Different pollen season definitions were used for a long time including the use of different terms for data and methods used to define a pollen season. Recently suggested pollen season definitions for clinical trials were tested and applied for the first time to more aeroallergens.Recent FindingsThis is a review on pollen season definitions and the latest recommendations. Recently, proposed terminology in aerobiology is promoted here in order to support reproducibility and repeatability in research. Two pollen season definitions, one based on percentages and one based on pollen concentrations, were tested.SummaryPercentage definitions can be recommended for standard aerobiological routines and for retrospective applications, whereas pollen concentrations definitions can be recommended for prospective applications such as clinical trials.

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Computational validation of the recently proposed pollen season definition criteria

Cited by 21 publications

References 2 publications

Pollen season is reflected on symptom load for grass and birch pollen‐induced allergic rhinitis in different geographic areas—An EAACI Task Force Report

Pollen season is reflected on symptom load for grass and birch pollen‐induced allergic rhinitis in different geographic areas—An EAACI Task Force Report

New European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology definition on pollen season mirrors symptom load for grass and birch pollen‐induced allergic rhinitis

Defining Pollen Seasons: Background and Recommendations

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