ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In order to know the relationships between mugwort pollinosis and oral allergy syndrome (OAS), an etiological study was performed at Muroran City, where mugwort is the most frequent cause of pollinosis. METHODS: Allergic rhinitis patients positive to serum IgE to birch, mugwort or grass pollen visited to the outpatient-clinic of Otorhinolaryngology of Muroran City General Hospital from 1998 to 2002, were studied by a questionnaire concerning a past-history of OAS. RESULTS: The prevalence of OAS was significantly higher in patients positive to serum IgE antibody specific to birch pollen or mugwort pollen than those negative to each pollen-specific antibody (birch; 54.5 vs 23.5%, p<0.0001, mugwort; 41.0 vs 21.5%, p<0.01). The main causative foods were fruits of rose family in patients with only birch pollen-specific IgE antibody, and were those other than rose family, such as kiwi, melon, orange, celery and onion in those with only mugwort pollen-specific IgE antibody. The patients group with high Lumiward score to mugwort pollen tended to include severe OAS cases. CONCLUSION: A close relationship was suggested between mugwort pollen sensitization and OAS.
