D1.275 - Pollen-Food Allergy Syndrome among Final-Year Primary School Students in the City of Olsztyn and Olsztyn County, Poland: A Questionnaire-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Pollen-Food Allergy Syndrome (PFAS) is an IgE-mediated allergic reaction resulting from cross-reactivity between pollen allergens and homologous proteins in plant-derived foods. Data on PFAS prevalence in children are limited; the majority of studies focus on populations with allergic diseases, while population-based evidence remains insufficient. The city of Olsztyn and Olsztyn County are located in north-eastern Poland, a region characterized by relatively low industrialization. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of PFAS among students in the final year of primary school (eighth grade; 14–16 years old) in this area.

A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted during the 2023/2024 school year. The total population of eighth-grade primary school students was 1706.  Parents or legal guardians of eighth-grade students from 35 primary schools in Olsztyn and Olsztyn County completed a questionnaire addressing demographic characteristics, history of pollen allergy, and the occurrence of allergic symptoms after consumption of plant-derived foods.  PFAS was defined as the presence of food-related oropharyngeal allergic symptoms in subjects with pollen allergy. We received 545 correctly completed questionnaires, 31.9% of the study population. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.

PFAS was identified in 38 children, with a prevalence of 7%. Physician-confirmed PFAS was reported in 13 participants (2,3%); in all other cases, PFAS identification relied solely on questionnaire responses. Interestingly, oral allergy syndrome (OAS) without a history of pollen allergy was reported by 91 participants (16.7%). No statistically significant association was observed between PFAS prevalence and place of residence or gender.

PFAS is a relatively common condition among final-year primary school students in Olsztyn and Olsztyn County; however, it remains underrecognized by healthcare providers, patients, and caregivers. The presence of OAS in children without a reported history of pollen allergy underscores the need for further allergological testing to better understand the condition.