Particulate matter modifies the association between airborne pollen and daily medical consultations for pollinosis in Tokyo.

Pollen from Japanese cedar (sugi) and cypress (hinoki) trees is responsible for the growing prevalence of allergic rhinitis, especially pollinosis in Japan. Previous studies have suggested that air pollutants enhance the allergic response to pollen in susceptible individuals. We conducted a time-stratified case-crossover study to examine the potential modifying effects of PM2.

[Consultation patterns among Japanese cedar pollinosis subjects at an urban clinic report 2: a 20-year experience (1990-2009) in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo].

To determine the consultation patterns of Japanese cedar pollinosis subjects during the pollen dispersal season, we surveyed those treated at a private clinic in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, from 1990 to 2009. We also studied the relationship between subject numbers and pollen count. The above relationship correlated highly with linear regression equation y = 0.

[Medical consultation dynamics in Japanese cedar pollinosis patients at an office building clinic in central Tokyo].

To clarify medical consultation dynamics in Japanese cedar pollinosis patients visiting an office building clinic in an office block in central Tokyo, we surveyed number of patient at a private ENT clinic in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, during the Japanese cedar pollen season from 1990 to 1999. Based on questionnaires and CAP RAST tests in 1995, we studied the profiles of Japanese cedar pollinosis patients and determined positive rates of noncedar antigens. The gender ratio in 1995 was 674 men versus 501 women, most frequently men in their 40s and women in their 20s.