BackgroundFor the development of forecasts for seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms, it is essential to understand the relationship between grass pollen concentrations and the symptoms of grass pollen allergic patients.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to delineate this relationship between seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms and grass pollen concentrations in the Netherlands.MethodsGrass pollen allergic patients (n = 80 [2007] - 84 [2008]) were enrolled into the study. They were asked to enter their seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms (runny nose, sneezing, blocked nose, post nasal drip, and eye symptoms) daily on a scale from 0 to 3 to the study centre either by short message service (SMS) or by internet from May-July 2007 and April-July 2008. Daily pollen counts were used to define the early and the late grass pollen season as the period 'before and during' respectively 'after' the first grass pollen peak (more than 150 pollen/m3).ResultsAt similar grass pollen concentrations, the daily mean of the individual maximum symptom scores reported in the early season were higher as compared to that reported in the late season [differences of -0.41 (2007) and -0.30 (2008)]. This difference could not be explained by medication use by the patients nor by co-sensitization to birch.ConclusionsWe conclude that seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms at similar grass pollen concentrations are more severe in the early flowering season as compared to those in the late flowering season. This finding is not only relevant for development of forecasts for seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms but also for understanding symptom development and planning and analysis of clinical studies.

Objectives: Current treatment options for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome often work to the satisfaction of the patient, but in certain cases may not yield the required results for reasons that remain unclear. Late-onset Pompe disease may be a contributing factor in these circumstances. The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence of late-onset Pompe disease in a population diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. Material and Methods: The study had a cross-sectional, explorative design to assess the prevalence of late-onset Pompe disease in subjects with an established diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. In two different study mid to large size sleep clinics in Europe patients have been asked to donate a blood sample for the detection of acid-glucosidase enzyme activity. Results: Of a total of 544 patients with mild to severe obstructive sleep apnea, none had an acid maltase deficiency. Conclusions: Screening for Pompe disease in newly or recently detected OSA patients in mid to large size sleep clinics is not clinically effective. It should be confined to those subjects with OSA when upright forced vital capacity during spirometry is only moderately abnormal, because of the disproportionate diaphragmatic involvement.