Bédard A, Sofiev M, Arnavielhe S, Antó JM, Garcia-Aymerich J, Thibaudon M, Bergmann KC, Dubakiene R, Bedbrook A, Onorato G, Annesi-Maesano I, Pépin JL, Laune D, Zeng S, Bousquet J, Basagaña X.
J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2019 Nov 28. pii: S2213-2198(19)30962-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2019.11.022. [Epub ahead of print]
The POLLAR project (Impact of Air POLLution in Asthma and Rhinitis) assesses if there are associations between major air pollutants and allergic rhinitis control. Former studies have suggested an interaction between air pollution and pollen exposure with an impact on symptoms.
This study included 3323 participants from Northern and Central Europe who recorded the daily impact of allergic symptoms in a validated mobile tool for rhinitis management using visual analogue scales during 2017 and 2018. Pollutant levels were assesses using a system for integrated modelling of atmospheric composition and pollens were assessed by regions using Google Trends. Generalized estimating equation models were used to account for repeated measures per user, adjusting for gender, age, treatment and country. Analyses were stratified by pollen seasons to investigate interactions between air pollutants and pollen exposure.
Stronger associations between uncontrolled rhinitis and pollutants were observed during the grass pollen season. Also, days with uncontrolled allergic rhinitis increased by 25% for an interquartile range increase in pollutants levels during the grass pollen season.
The MASK-POLLAR study concluded that there may be a relationship between uncontrolled allergic rhinitis and air pollution and that this relationship is modified in the grass pollen season.
