OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical feature and treatment methods of Artemisia pollinosis.

METHODSSkin prick test results of 14 426 cases from Beijing Tongren hospital and pollen concentration of Beijing observatory from 2007 to 2011 were analyzed to identify the clinical feature of Artemisia pollinosis patients and its correlation with the pollen concentration. Patients were given leukotriene receptor antagonists (Montelukast) for 2 weeks, followed by 4 weeks of mometasone furoate nasal spray (EIT group: n = 21), or only 4 weeks of mometasone furoate nasal spray (POT group: n = 16). The nasal symptom score was compared between 2 groups.SPSS 16.0 software was used to analyze the data.

RESULTSArtemisia pollinosis accounted for 30.8% (4 442/14 426) of all SPT positive allergic rhinitis patients, and most Artemisia SPT positive results were strong positive(3 793/4 442, 85.4%); onset age peak of Artemisia pollinosis patients was at the age of 19 to 30, onset time concentrated in August to September, was consistent with the peak period of Artemisia pollen concentration; EIT treatment using leukotriene receptor antagonists two weeks before pollen season significantly improved sneeze, sniveling and rhinocnesmus symptoms (t value was 3.28, 3.92, 3.09, respectively, all P < 0.01) compared with post-onset treatment (POT). But nasal obstruction and cough symptoms had no significant difference between two groups (t value was 0.85, 1.52, respectively, all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONArtemisia pollen is the main pollen allergen in Beijing, EIT treatment was effective to pollinosis.