Exposure to green space and pollen allergy symptom severity: A case-crossover study in Belgium

Stas, Michiel; Aerts, Raf; Hendrickx, Marijke; Delcloo, Andy; Dendoncker, Nicolas; Dujardin, Sébastien; Linard, Catherine; Nawrot, Tim S.; Nieuwenhuyse, An Van; Aerts, Jean Marie; Orshoven, Jos Van; Somers, Ben

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146682

Cited by 35 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 85 publications

(95 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The before-after study [ 22 ] was conducted among participants who participated in outdoor nature walks. The cross-over study [ 79 ] bi-directionally matched case days with the highest symptom severity scores to control days with the lowest scores, hence participants served as their own control. Among cross-sectional surveys, eight studies used convenience sampling by recruiting from park visitors [ 23 , 44 , 51 , 59 , 61 , 73 , 89 , 90 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Six studies investigated cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart diseases [ 47 , 49 , 59 , 70 , 71 , 82 ]. Ten studies investigated respiratory outcomes, such as asthma and other allergic respiratory diseases [ 28 , 34 , 35 , 56 , 63 , 67 , 69 , 77 , 79 , 82 ]. The most common tools used for psychological outcomes were the Kessler psychological distress scale (K6-PD or K10-PD) [ 39 , 45 , 60 ] and the mental health inventory scale (MHI-5) [ 54 , 68 , 81 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There was consistent evidence of forests being a protective factor for obstructive airway diseases [ 28 , 34 ], cardiovascular diseases [ 49 ], allostatic overload [ 59 ], psychological distress and general health [ 45 , 65 , 74 ] while grassland and herbaceous vegetation were not. On the other hand, some studies showed superior benefits of shrubs and grass compared to trees in improving mental health [ 64 ] or severe allergy [ 79 ]. In low-diversity areas, certain vegetation types presented higher risks for asthma or other allergic conditions, typically non-native shrubs [ 56 ] or coniferous trees [ 35 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Green Space Quality and Health: A Systematic Review

Nguyen

Astell-Burt

Rahimi-Ardabili

et al. 2021

IJERPH

174

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

(1) Background: As cities densify, researcher and policy focus is intensifying on which green space types and qualities are important for health. We conducted a systematic review to examine whether particular green space types and qualities have been shown to provide health benefits and if so, which specific types and qualities, and which health outcomes. (2) Methods: We searched five databases from inception up to June 30, 2021. We included all studies examining a wide range of green space characteristics on various health outcomes. (3) Results: 68 articles from 59 studies were found, with a high degree of heterogeneity in study designs, definitions of quality and outcomes. Most studies were cross-sectional, ecological or cohort studies. Environment types, vegetation types, and the size and connectivity of green spaces were associated with improved health outcomes, though with contingencies by age and gender. Health benefits were more consistently observed in areas with greater tree canopy, but not grassland. The main outcomes with evidence of health benefits included allergic respiratory conditions, cardiovascular conditions and psychological wellbeing. Both objectively and subjectively measured qualities demonstrated associations with health outcomes. (4) Conclusion: Experimental studies and longitudinal cohort studies will strengthen current evidence. Evidence was lacking for needs-specific or culturally-appropriate amenities and soundscape characteristics. Qualities that need more in-depth investigation include indices that account for forms, patterns, and networks of objectively and subjectively measured green space qualities.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Green Space Quality and Health: A Systematic Review

Nguyen

Astell-Burt

Rahimi-Ardabili

et al. 2021

IJERPH

174

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Furthermore, greater NDVI and tree cover (surfaces covered by woody vegetation taller than 5 m) were marginally associated with fewer AR symptoms, as NO 2 levels are lower [74]. A study that followed adults sensitized to Betulaceae pollen during tree pollen season assessed exposure to green space and allergenic trees while tracking daily symptom severity scores [75]. The study concluded that exposure to green space may decrease tree pollen allergy symptom severity but only when the density of allergenic trees is low [75].…”

Section: Greennessmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A study that followed adults sensitized to Betulaceae pollen during tree pollen season assessed exposure to green space and allergenic trees while tracking daily symptom severity scores [75]. The study concluded that exposure to green space may decrease tree pollen allergy symptom severity but only when the density of allergenic trees is low [75].…”

Section: Greennessmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Role of Environmental Risk Factors on the Development of Childhood Allergic Rhinitis

Dahlin

Wang

2021

Children

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Environmental factors play an important role in the development and exacerbation of allergic rhinitis (AR) in childhood. Indoor air pollution, such as house dust mites and secondhand smoke, can significantly increase the onset of AR, while pet dander may affect the exacerbation of AR symptoms in children. Furthermore, traffic related air pollution and pollen are outdoor air pollutants that can affect immune competency and airway responsiveness, increasing the risk of AR in children. Climate change has increased AR in children, as growth patterns of allergenic species have changed, resulting in longer pollen seasons. More extreme and frequent weather events also contribute to the deterioration of indoor air quality due to climate change. Additionally, viruses provoke respiratory tract infections, worsening the symptoms of AR, while viral infections alter the immune system. Although viruses and pollution influence development and exacerbation of AR, a variety of treatment and prevention options are available for AR patients. The protective influence of vegetation (greenness) is heavily associated with air pollution mitigation, relieving AR exacerbations, while the use of air filters can reduce allergic triggers. Oral antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids are common pharmacotherapy for AR symptoms. In this review, we discuss the environmental risk factors for AR and summarize treatment strategies for preventing and managing AR in children.

show abstract

Daily allergy burden and heart rate characteristics in adults with allergic rhinitis based on a wearable telemonitoring system

Buekers

Stas

Aerts

et al. 2023

Clinical & Translational All

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Allergic rhinitis includes a certain degree of autonomic imbalance. However, no information is available on how daily changes in allergy burden affect autonomic imbalance. We aimed to estimate associations between daily allergy burden (allergy symptoms and mood) and daily heart rate characteristics (resting heart rate and sample entropy, both biomarkers of autonomic balance) of adults with allergic rhinitis, based on real‐world measurements with a wearable telemonitoring system. Methods Adults with a tree pollen allergy used a smartphone application to self‐report daily allergy symptoms (score 0–44) and mood (score 0–4), and a Mio Alpha 2 wristwatch to collect heart rate characteristics during two pollen seasons of hazel, alder and birch in Belgium. Associations between daily allergy burden and heart rate characteristics were estimated using linear mixed effects distributed lag models with a random intercept for individuals and adjusted for potential confounders. Results Analyses included 2497 participant‐days of 72 participants. A one‐point increase in allergy symptom score was associated with an increase in next‐day resting heart rate of 0.08 (95% CI: 0.02–0.15) beats per minute. A one‐point increase in mood score was associated with an increase in same‐day sample entropy of 0.80 (95% CI: 0.34–1.26) × 10 −2 . No associations were found between allergy symptoms and heart rate sample entropy, nor between mood and resting heart rate. Conclusion Daily repeated measurements with a wearable telemonitoring system revealed that the daily allergy burden of adults with allergic rhinitis has systemic effects beyond merely the respiratory system.

show abstract

Exposure to green space and pollen allergy symptom severity: A case-crossover study in Belgium

Cited by 35 publications

References 85 publications

Green Space Quality and Health: A Systematic Review

Green Space Quality and Health: A Systematic Review

The Role of Environmental Risk Factors on the Development of Childhood Allergic Rhinitis

Daily allergy burden and heart rate characteristics in adults with allergic rhinitis based on a wearable telemonitoring system

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About