Residential green space and seasonal distress in a cohort of tree pollen allergy patients

Abstract

Background: Residential green space may improve human health, for example by promoting physical activity and by reducing stress. Conversely, residential green space may increase stress by emitting aeroallergens and exacerbating allergic disease. Here we examine impacts of exposure to residential green space on distress in the susceptible subpopulation of adults sensitized to tree pollen allergens. Methods: In a panel study of 88 tree pollen allergy patients we analyzed self-reported mental health (GHQ-12), perceived presence of allergenic trees (hazel, alder, birch) near the residence and residential green space area within 1 km distance [high (≥ 3 m) and low (< 3 m) green]. Results were adjusted for patients' background data (gender, age, BMI, smoking status, physical activity, commuting distance, education level, allergy medication use and chronic respiratory problems) and compared with distress in the general population (N = 2,467). Results: Short-term distress [mean GHQ-12 score 2.1 (95% confidence interval 1.5-2.7)] was higher in the study population than in the general population [1.5 (1.4-1.7)]. Residential green space had protective effects against short-term distress [high green, per combined surface area of 10 ha: adjusted odds ratio OR = 0.94 (95% confidence interval 0.90-0.99); low green, per 10 ha: OR = 0.85 (0.78-0.93)]. However, distress was higher in patients who reported perceived presence of allergenic trees near their residence [present vs. absent: OR= 2.04 (1.36-3.07)]. Conclusions: Perceived presence of allergenic tree species in the neighbourhood of the residence of tree pollen allergy patients modulates the protective effect of residential green space against distress during the airborne tree pollen season.

Exposure to green space and pollen allergy symptom severity: A case-crossover study in Belgium

“…Studies on adults are less common. A previous study in Northern Belgium found that adults sensitized to tree pollen experienced mental health benefits from residential exposure to green, despite their tree pollen allergy (Aerts et al, 2020). Two Korean studies found contrasting results regarding the protective effects of green space on the prevalence of allergy symptoms in adults (Kim et al, 2020;Kwon et al, 2019).…”

“…The literature shows that green space can impact the respiratory health of allergy-sufferers significantly. The available studies are limited to either residential exposure (Aerts et al, 2020) or exposure at the administrative region level (Kim et al, 2020). A study of (Jones et al, 2019) found no association between neighborhood natural environment and asthma exacerbation at the level of administrative regions and suggest that future research should assess exposure with more spatial and temporal detail.…”

Home Garden With Eco-Healing Functions Benefiting Mental Health and Biodiversity During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review

“…However, allergenic plants should be avoided in a home garden as they can be associated with the prevalence of allergy diseases ( 97 ), which will cause more serious mental distress. It has been indicated that exposure to pollen from some allergenic plants is associated with severe allergy symptoms ( 98 ).…”

Residential green space types, allergy symptoms and mental health in a cohort of tree pollen allergy patients

“…Ulmer et al (2016) found that urban tree cover was associated with less diagnoses of current asthma. In a previous study in Northern Belgium, we found that adults sensitized to tree pollen experience mental health benefits from residential exposure to green, despite their tree pollen allergy (Aerts et al, 2020b). However, the perceived presence of allergenic tree species was found to be associated with higher mental distress (Aerts et al, 2020b).…”