Burden of pollen allergy in 3 European countries: AIS LIFE project

Rationale: prevalence of pollen-related allergic respiratory diseases has increased in past decades in Europe. Aim: to evaluate the clinical impact of pollen allergy in an European general population sample. Methods: in 2016, 643 subjects suffering from pollen allergy were enrolled in Italy (Pisa, PI), France (Paris, PA), Austria (Vienna, VI). Each subject filled in the Health, CARAT (modified) and Rhinasthma questionnaires about health status, disease control and quality of life (QoL) associated with allergic diseases in the previous 12 months. Statistical analyses included chi-square test and analysis of variance. Results: the highest reported allergies were those to Betulaceae (73%) in VI, Graminaceae (61%) in PI and Platanaceae (28%) in PA. Allergic rhinitis was higher in VI (95%), allergic conjunctivitis and asthma in PA (69 and 54%, respectively) than in the other countries. Respiratory symptoms were significantly higher in PA (97%) than in VI (73%) and PI (65%); oculo-rhinitic symptoms were higher in VI (96%) than in PA (91%) and PI (80%); nasal symptoms did not differ among the countries. Health services and anti-allergic medicines were significantly more used in VI (67 and 94%) than in PI (26 and 78%) and PA (39 and 47%). VI and PA showed worse QoL and diseases control than PI according to Rhinasthma and CARAT scores. Overall, only 27.2% had a good/optimal QoL, 25.3% reported daily limitations at work, school or in other activities and 12.6% had a controlled allergic rhinitis and asthma. Conclusions: there is a relevant clinical impact of pollen allergy in 3 European countries which should prompt measures to reduce such environmental exposure. Supported by EU LIFE program, project no. LIFE13 ENV/IT/001107.