Aeroallergen sensitization rate and its multifactorial influences in continental Croatia: a cross-sectional study

TL;DR

This study examines how common it is to be allergic to airborne allergens in continental Croatia and explores factors influencing these allergies.

Contribution

The study provides updated data on aeroallergen sensitization rates and their associations in a Croatian population.

Findings

The sensitization rate to airborne allergens was 48.86%, with grass pollen being the most common allergen.

Sensitization rates increased significantly compared to a 2003-2006 cohort, and men had higher rates of sensitization.

Birch tree pollen was the main cause of pollen-food syndrome across all age groups.

Abstract

To assess the rate of sensitization to airborne allergens in continental Croatia and the related variables. A secondary aim was to assess the frequency of pollen-food syndrome.

This cross-sectional study enrolled 2133 participants referred to Special Hospital for Pulmonary Diseases, Zagreb, from January 2 to December 31, 2022. Patients underwent skin prick test, and data on age, area of residence, smoking status, referring physician, and the presence of respiratory disease were gathered from electronic health records.

The rate of sensitization in our sample was 48.86%, and that of polysensitization was 75.91%, with grass pollen being the predominant allergen. Sensitization rates to all airborne allergens significantly increased compared with a 2003-2006 cohort. Men had higher rates of sensitization, and sensitivity to certain allergens varied based on age. Patients diagnosed with rhinitis exhibited the highest rates of sensitization and mostly sought medical attention from allergists. Conversely, asthma patients who did not have rhinitis exhibited reduced rates of sensitization and were mostly treated by pulmonologists. Birch tree pollen was the primary aeroallergen responsible for pollen-food syndrome, regardless of the age group.

Our findings contribute to the existing body of research on sensitization to aeroallergens in Europe and stress the importance of multidisciplinary management of allergic respiratory disorders.

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