| dc.description.abstract | Pollen grains produced by grasses, weeds, and trees are some of the most common stimuli associated with exacerbations of allergic rhinitis and asthma. The pollen seasons can be associated with significant health impacts for those affected, and evidence showing the species involved and the monitoring of pollens would prove extremely useful.
This study investigated variations in a range of vegetation types across England (as a proxy for plant-specific pollen exposures), and associations with prescription rates. The study used data from General Practices (via NHS Digital), the Met Office and other secondary data sources. Radiuses drawn up proportional to the population density of each General Practice were used to measure the vegetation densities within each one, as an estimate of the practice population exposure. Area data concerning a range of confounders and effect modifiers were run against the prescription rates of relevant medications per 1000 patients in linear regression models.
The aim of this project was to estimate associations based on this data alongside a range of other factors including air pollution, population ages, and deprivation indices. This study allows for spatial data analysis across England, and to compare the various vegetation species with the prescription rates in the months of their active seasons, adding to our understanding of the impacts of pollen on allergic disease outcomes. Key findings indicated a mixed collection of results. Some indicated positive associations between some vegetation densities and prescribing rates for respiratory and allergic conditions, but other results suggested inverse associations, contrary to hypotheses. There was also some suggestion of effect modification by air pollution, with greater adverse effects of grass density in areas with higher PM10 concentrations. | en_GB |
