D2.518 - Clinical pattern of weed pollen sensitization in a Romanian population

Sensitization to weed pollens represents an increasingly frequent cause of seasonal allergic symptoms, especially in the current context of climate change. Although sensitization patterns vary among patients, there is still limited information on how they relate to clinical presentation in a Romanian population. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical expression of patients with different patterns of weed allergies.

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with confirmed weed pollen allergy who presented to an allergology clinic in north-western Romania over a 6-month period (June–November). We analyzed three groups of patients: those sensitized to Ambrosia, Artemisia, or both. Demographic data, clinical diagnoses, symptom severity, and sensitization to other aeroallergens were recorded. Associations between variables were assessed using chi-square tests.

Of the 136 patients included in our study, 19.9% were sensitized to Ambrosia, 42.6% to Artemisia, and 37.5% to both. Male patients and urban residents presented more frequently with dual sensitization. Rhinitis severity did not differ significantly among groups. Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis was observed more often in patients sensitized to Ambrosia or to both aeroallergens compared with those sensitized to Artemisia alone (p = 0.019). No associations were observed for asthma. Sensitization to Betulaceae pollen was more commonly found in the dual-sensitized group, while no significant associations were identified for grass, mite, or mold co-sensitization.

In our cohort from north-western Romania, patients sensitized to both Ambrosia and Artemisia tended to exhibit a clinical profile characterized by male predominance, urban residence, and more frequent ocular involvement.