OBJECTIVETo investigate the psychological characteristics of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and its associated factors.

METHODSThree hundred and seventy-seven patients with AR were evaluated by the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90). The results were compared with a standard, obtained from healthy Chinese population, including factors of gender, age, educational level, medical history of AR, presence of complications, type of allergenic sensitizations and nasal symptoms (using logistic regression analysis).

RESULTSAn abnormal psychological state was found in 10% of AR patients, 13% with deuto-healthy, and remaining 77% of AR patients were completely healthy. The SCL-90 scores of the 377 patients were significantly higher than those of the normal standard population, including symptoms of somatization, compulsion, anxiety, rivalry and psychosis (t equals 7.128, 3.943, 2.777, 6.423, 7.507, respectively, all P < 0.01). Male patients had worse psychological state than femals, especially in the aspects of compulsion, depression, anxiety, crankiness and psychosis (t equals respectively 2.680, 1.977, 2.539, 2.107, 2.844, all P < 0.05). The SCL-90 scores of compulsion and horror were respectively different in different AR case history (F equals respectively 2.379, 2.255, all P < 0.05). AR complicated with asthma and eczema was the important factors that influenced patient's psychological status including compulsion, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, crankiness and psychosis (t equals respectively 6.835, 8.914, 7.254, 13.358, 6.030, all P < 0.01). There were no statistical differences in different ages, AR types, educational level, allergen types (all P > 0.05). Snuffle, sneeze and snivel had no influence on patient's SCL-90 scores (all P > 0.05). Itchy nose was a major symptom that affect on AR patients' SCL-90 scores of depression (standard regression b = 0.126, t = 2.076, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSAR patients' psychological status was worse than that of the healthy adults.

Allergens ; Anxiety ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Humans ; Mental Disorders ; Rhinitis, Allergic

The daily pollen counts in the air of Seoul, Korea were measured using a rotorod sampler from June 1990 to July 1992. Two distinct pollen periods were noted: tree pollens such as alder, poplar, willow, oak and pine appeared in the spring from March to May, and weed pollens, such as Artemisia spp., Ambrosia spp. and Hop japanese appeared in the autumn from August to September. Various kinds of grass pollen appeared from June to September. The study indicated that there were two pollen peaks in Seoul composed of tree pollens in spring and weed pollens in autumn.
Air Pollution/*statistics & numerical data ; Allergens/*analysis ; Humans ; Korea ; Plants ; *Pollen/classification ; Seasons

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the species, quantity and diffusion of allergenic pollens as well as the relationship among allergic rhinitis (AR), pollen species and meteorological conditions in Kunming area.

METHODSThe exposure film was used to investigate the species of airborne pollen, the total number of these pollens during December 2009 to November 2010 by means of gravitational sedimentation, at the same time, AR patients were registered. The species of allergic pollen in Kunming area during the same period, and the statistic analysis was made with the meteorological elements, using the correlation analysis methods of Excel for data analysis.

RESULTSFrom December 2009 to November 2010, a total of 60 exposure films of pollen species was found, including 26 147 pollens. The annual airborne pollen showed two scattering peak, respectively: February to April and September to October; the number of advantage pollen was 17 species. The number of year-round drifting pollen was 13 species while 2 species showed two peaks on spring and autumn. There was another 26 new species added to the results of 2009-2010, compared with 1987-1989, while the original 12 species were not seen. The drifting peak was the same. The number of allergen intradermal tests (AIT) positive AR patients was positively correlated with 16 pollen species, respectively, oleaceae, alnus nepalensis, walnut, palm, pig weed, fennel, Amaranthaceae, artemisia, rosa, Albizia julibrissin Durazz, gramineae, castor, Fraxinus L, populus, Morus alba L, hemp humulus, (r value were 0.689 7, 0.550 1, 0.742 1, 0.755 2, 0.771 2, 0.663 3, 0.556 1, 0.568 3, 0.659 8, 0.607 4, 0.834 7, 0.664 3, 0.745 9, 0.634 7, 0.718 3, 0.777 2, all P < 0.05). The population of AIT positive AR patients was positively correlated with average temperature, average wind speed and other meteorological factors (r values were 0.552 0, 0.883 5, both P < 0.05), and was negatively correlated with average relative humidity (r = -0.714 7, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSKunming had a large number of airborne pollen species which showed two peaks annually, respectively, spring and autumn. The relationship among the number of AIT positive AR patients, the meteorological factors and the number of airborne pollen were close.

Allergens ; analysis ; Humans ; Meteorological Concepts ; Pollen ; classification ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; diagnosis ; Seasons ; Temperature

BACKGROUND: Allergens tend to sensitize simultaneously. Etiology of this phenomenon has been suggested to be allergen cross-reactivity or concurrent exposure. However, little is known about specific allergen sensitization patterns. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the allergen sensitization characteristics according to gender. METHODS: Multiple allergen simultaneous test (MAST) is widely used as a screening tool for detecting allergen sensitization in dermatologic clinics. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with MAST results between 2008 and 2014 in our Department of Dermatology. A cluster analysis was performed to elucidate the allergen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E cluster pattern. RESULTS: The results of MAST (39 allergen-specific IgEs) from 4,360 cases were analyzed. By cluster analysis, 39items were grouped into 8 clusters. Each cluster had characteristic features. When compared with female, the male group tended to be sensitized more frequently to all tested allergens, except for fungus allergens cluster. CONCLUSION: The cluster and comparative analysis results demonstrate that the allergen sensitization is clustered, manifesting allergen similarity or co-exposure. Only the fungus cluster allergens tend to sensitize female group more frequently than male group.
Allergens ; Cluster Analysis* ; Dermatology ; Female ; Fungi ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Korea* ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies

Allergens ; analysis ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Skin Tests

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the main inhaled allergens and the difference of that between city and rural suburbs in patients with allergic rhinitis in the mountain region of the northwest Hubei province and to provide epidemiological basis for prevention and treatment in the region. METHOD: Eight hundred and thirty-five cases who were diagnosed as allergic rhinitis with standardized allergens in Taihe Hospital of Hubei University of Medicine from Sep 2009 and Dec 2011 were studied. The data of allergens and the distribution of the patients were recorded and analyzed. χ2-test were used to analyze the data. RESULT: The top 7 of inhaled allergens were house dust mites (89.6%), dust mites (86.0%), tropical mites (56.9%), croton bug (18.8%), felon herb (8.1%), the cat hair (8.1%) and fine chain alternata bacteria (9.5%), Two main kinds of allergen in three different area are with no obvious difference (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION In northwest Hubei Province, the highest rate of inhaled allergens was dust mites, which are approximate in different age groups and different regions, especially in the city.
Allergens ; analysis ; Animals ; Artemisia ; Cats ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Pyroglyphidae ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; epidemiology ; Rural Population ; Skin Tests

OBJECTIVE: To study the type and drift law of airborne pollen in Wuhan, and its relationship to pollinosis. METHOD: From November 2003 to October 2004, an airborne pollen investigation was performed in three districts of Wuhan using gravity sedimentation technique. Meanwhile, univalent shin prick tests of pollens and the study of invasion season were performed in 1200 cases with pollenosis. Among them, 352 cases underwent the airway responsiveness measurements, and the correlation between airway responsiveness and pollen concentration were analyzed. RESULT: A total of 47 pollen colonies were observed and 75,525 pollens were collected. Every year the the peak time of airborne pollen occurred in two seasons: spring (March and April) and autumn (from August to October). The incidence of pollinosis is consistent to pollen peak time; there was a negative relationship between PD20 (the provocative dose to decrease FEV1 by 20% from baseline) and airborne pollen concentration. CONCLUSION The study provides useful information for airborne pollen epidemiology in Wuhan. It provides important insights to clinical prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pollen related allergic diseases.
Allergens ; analysis ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Pollen ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal ; epidemiology ; Skin Tests

Allergens ; analysis ; Animals ; Cattle ; Child ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; analysis ; Infant ; Milk Hypersensitivity ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Skin Tests

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine which allergens were prevalent in patients with allergic rhinitis and respiratory disease in Qingshan Wuhan. METHOD: A total of 700 cases, which were diagnosed as allergic rhinitis and respiratory disease by history and clinical presentation, underwent ELISA test with 7 standardized allergens, and the most important sensitizing allergens were assessed. The samples were stratified on two age groups: AR and respiratory disease group and the positive rate of two main allergens in two groups were contrast analyzed. RESULT: For patients with allergic rhinitis, the positive rate of the top seven aeroallergen were dermatophagoides (47%), herbs (19.7%), tree (18%), animal dander (8.9%), house dust (6.5%), mold (4.9%) and wormwood (3%). There was no significant difference in higher sensitivity to dust mite and ragweed between allergic rhinitis and respiratory disease group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION Dust mite, Tree and Herbs are the most important three aeroallergens in Qingshan region of Wuhan.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Allergens ; analysis ; Antigens, Dermatophagoides ; analysis ; China ; epidemiology ; Dust ; analysis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; analysis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pollen ; Prevalence ; Rhinitis ; epidemiology ; Young Adult

The allergens were separated from the extracts of house dust mites by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and identified by autoradiography. Over 30 protein bands of the whole body extract of Dermatophagoides farinae were apparent on 10-20% gradient SDS-PAGE, and 13 bands with MW between 93KD and 12KD bound with specific IgE antibodies in patients' sera sensitive to house dust mites. The major allergenic component of the whole body extract of D. farinae was the protein of MW 14-15KD, which was detected in 95.7% of 47 patients' sera sensitive to house dust mites. The extract of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus supplied by Bencard Company, England was thought to contain feces enriched material as noted in a few broad protein bands on SDS-PAGE. Seven allergenic components were shown by autoradiography. The protein band of MW 14-15KD was one of the most frequently revealed allergens on autoradiography, which has appeared in 32.5% of 40 patients' sera sensitive to house dust mites. The electrobotting technique used in the present study was fast, convenient and highly useful for both the identification of allergen components and the screening of specific IgE antibody. The individual variations of IgE immune responses to the allergenic components of the two house dust mites were discussed.
Allergens/*analysis ; Animals ; Autoradiography ; Dust ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Human ; Immunoglobulin E/metabolism ; Mites/*immunology ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't