The association between asthma-related emergency department visits and pollen and mold spore concentrations in the Bronx, 2001-2008.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of asthma morbidity and mortality is highest among minority inner-city populations. Among New York City's five boroughs, the Bronx has the highest rate of asthma-related hospitalizations and mortality. Outdoor air pollutants have been associated with increased asthma-related ED visits (AREDV) in this borough. OBJECTIVE: To better understand the contribution of pollen and mold to asthma severity in the Bronx. METHODS: The numbers of daily adult and pediatric AREDV and asthma-related hospitalizations (ARH) from 2001 to 2008 were obtained from two Bronx hospitals. AREDV and ARH data were acquired retrospectively through the Clinical Looking Glass data analysis software. Daily counts for tree, grass and weed pollen and mold spore counts from March 2001 to October 2008 were obtained from the Armonk counting station. All data were statistically analyzed and graphed as daily values. RESULTS: There were a total of 42 065 AREDV and 10 132 ARH at both Bronx hospitals. There were spring and winter peaks of increased AREDV. Tree pollen counts significantly correlated with total AREDV (rho = 0.3639, p < 0.001), and pediatric (rho = 0.33, p < 0.001) and adult AREDV (rho = 0.28, p < 0.001). ARH positively correlated with tree pollen counts (Spearman rho = 0.2389, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There exists a significant association between spring AREDV and ARH and tree pollen concentrations in a highly urbanized area such as the Bronx. Early anticipation of spring pollen peaks based on ongoing surveillance could potentially guide clinical practice and minimize asthma-related ED visits in the Bronx.

Increased allergic sensitization to mugwort in chronic urticaria.

BACKGROUND: Mugwort pollen is known to cross-react with a variety of spices and vegetables that are typically part of elimination diets used in the treatment of chronic urticaria (CU). OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the association between CU and allergic sensitization to mugwort pollen. METHODS: We conducted 2 case-control studies comparing aeroallergen skin prick test results between patients with and without CU and with or without allergic rhinitis (total n = 202). RESULTS: CU patients with coexisting allergic rhinitis were more than twice as likely to be sensitized to mugwort as subjects not suffering from CU (67 vs. 30%; p = 0.004). Ragweed, cat, rat and mite sensitization were also significantly associated with CU. Overall, patients with CU had more positive aeroallergen skin tests than patients without CU (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Mugwort sensitization was associated with CU, possibly contributing to beneficial effect of elimination diets.