- D3.511 - Correlation between Emergency visits and Platanus ssp pollen levels

Poster abstract

Background

Respiratory symptoms caused by aeroallergen sensitization are a frequent Emergency Unit assistance in our patients, being Platanus ssp one of the most typical emergent etiologies (typical urban tree in Cordoba). Our objectives were to describe a population that came to our Energency Department referring respiratory and/or cutaneous symptoms with the Platanus ssp pollen levels as the main relationship during its bloom in 2023 and its correlationship with pollen levels during that year. 

Method

Medical reports from adults patients (more than 14 years old) with respiratory and/or cutaneous symptoms that came to our Emergency Unit at Hospital Quironsalud Cordoba during Platanus ssp pollen bloom were selected,  looking for a correlationship between pollen levels and total number of patients that were evaluated. We excluded patients with fever, thick mucus or with symptoms related to viral infections. We reviewed these medical reports in our Allergy Department database looking for Platanus acerifolia sensitization.

Results

156 patients (70 males and 86 females; mean age  41,69) came to our Emergency Department during Platanus ssp bloom in 2023 (1st March to 20th April).88 (56,41%) came in March and 68 (43,59%) in April. 42 (26,92%) referred only allergic rhinitis and 25 (16,02%) referred only asthma, needing 20 (12,82%) several hours in the Observation Unit and 6 (3,84%) in the inpatients ward. The days with more pollen concentration showed us more Emergency Unit visits (p<0,01). 101 (64,74%) were diagnosed as allergic rhinitis in our Allergy Department, being in 85 (54,48%) Platanus acerifolia as possible trigger.

Conclusion

  • During 2023, the most typical patient that came to our Emergency Department was a mean age male with respiratory symptoms and Platanus acerifolia sensitization.
  • There is a great correlationship between Platanus pollen and Emergency Department visits.
  • A better knowledge about pollen levels would help us to prevent our patient´s attacks, reducing their visits to Emergency Units.