The Korean Journal of Medicine

The Korean Association of Internal Medicine (대한내과학회)
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Association Between the Sensitization Rate for Inhalant Allergens in Patients with Respiratory Allergies and the Pollen Concentration in Ulsan, Korea

울산지역 호흡기 알레르기 환자의 흡입 알레르겐 감작률과 대기중 꽃가루 농도와의 관련성

  • Choi, Seung Won (Department of Internal Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Lee, Ji-Ho (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Yangho (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Oh, In-Bo (Environmental Health Center, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine) ;
  • Choi, Kee-Ryong (Department of Biological Science, University of Ulsan College of Natural Science)
  • 최승원 (울산대학교 의과대학 울산대학교병원 내과) ;
  • 이지호 (울산대학교 의과대학 울산대학교병원 직업환경의학과) ;
  • 김양호 (울산대학교 의과대학 울산대학교병원 직업환경의학과) ;
  • 오인보 (울산대학교 의과대학 울산대학교병원 환경보건센터) ;
  • 최기룡 (울산대학교 자연과학대학 생명과학부)
  • Received : 2013.06.27
  • Accepted : 2013.10.04
  • Published : 2014.04.01
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Abstract

Background/Aims: Pollinosis is an increasing problem, with allergenic pollen causing rhinitis, asthma, and other allergic diseases. This study examined the patterns of sensitization to inhalant allergens in patients with respiratory allergies and analyzed the regional pollen concentrations in Ulsan, Korea. Methods: A skin prick test was performed with 21 common inhalant allergens, including 18 types of pollen, in 634 patients with respiratory allergies from January of 2008 through December of 2010. Airborne pollen was collected daily from three different stations in Ulsan using a Durham sampler. Daily records and identification of the pollen types were made (2009-2010). Results: The sensitization rates for inhalant allergens were as follows: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (38.2%), Dermatophagoides farinae (38.0%), birch (15.8%), alder (15.3%), hazel (14.2%), oak (13.5%), beech (10.8%), mugwort (9.6%), and hop Japanese (5.2%). Airborne pollen has two peak seasons: tree pollen from February to June, followed by weed pollen from August to October. Pine tree, oak, and alder were the most frequently found pollen types in spring, whereas hop Japanese and mugwort were the most frequently found pollen types in autumn. Conclusions: House dust mites are the most common offending allergen in Ulsan. The sensitization rates to some tree pollen types, including birch, alder, and hazel were higher than those of weed or grass pollen. Causative allergens are changing in response to climate change and air pollution. Continuous aerobiological monitoring is the cornerstone for observing changes in pollen and a prerequisite for the study of the effect of climate change on allergic diseases.

목적: 울산 지역 호흡기 알레르기 질환자의 꽃가루를 포함한 주요 흡입항원에 대한 감작률을 조사하고 지역적 꽃가루 분포 특성과 그 임상적 의의를 조사하고자 연구를 시행하였다. 방법: 비염 및 천식으로 진단되었던 환자를 대상으로 꽃가루를 포함한 주요 흡입 알레르겐에 대한 피부시험을 시행하였으며 울산의 3개 지역에서 연중 지속적으로 대기 중 꽃가루 종류와 농도를 측정하였다. 결과: 개별 항원에 대한 감작률은 집먼지진드기에 대해 높았으며 자작나무 15.8%, 오리나무 15.3%, 개암나무 14.2%, 참나무 13.5%, 너도밤나무 10.8%, 쑥 9.6% 순의 감작률을 보였다. 울산에서는 연중 2차례 꽃가루 비산 절정기가 있었으며 봄철에는 소나무, 참나무, 오리나무가 가을철에는 환삼덩굴과 쑥 꽃가루가 높게 측정되었다. 결론: 최근의 기후 및 환경 변화와 함께 알레르기 질환이 증가되고 있으며 흡입 알레르겐에 대한 종류나 감작률도 지속적으로 변하고 있다. 향후 꽃가루 항원에 대한 지속적인 모니터링으로 알레르기 질환을 체계적으로 관리하는 것이 필요하다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Supported by : Ministry of Environment

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