Source: Annual Congress 2002 - Epidemiology of asthma, rhinitis and allergy
Disease area: Airway diseases

Abstract

Background: Ragweed is a recent public health issue in parts of France. However, little is known about medical management of this allergy. The delivery of prescribed anti-allergic and anti-asthma medications (AAM) by community pharmacies could lead to information about management of ragweed allergy, and induced morbidity.
Methods: The study was conducted in the Rhône-Alpes Region (RAR). A pilot phase described the delivery of injectable, slow-release, corticosteroids (ISRCS) during the 1998-2000 ragweed seasons. The final project was focused on the relationship between the delivery of AAM and the concentration of ragweed pollen in 2001. Weekly pollen counts were provided by the French Association for Ragweed study (AFEDA). The Local Medical Insurance system provided data on delivery of AAM. Correlation between weekly pollen counts and medication delivery records were studied with time-series analyses.
Results. The pilot phase identified a peak delivery (> 300 units/week) of specific brands of ISRCS during past ragweed pollination periods. The 2001 ragweed season was characterised by strong peaks during weeks 24 and 35 (up to 473 grains) in some RAR centres. Drug dispensing data of AAM in 2001 are collected, and their relationship with pollen counts will be presented.
Conclusions. Our data suggest that ragweed allergy may not be optimally identified and treated, maybe due to limited awareness by health care professionals. High pollen counts were observed in 2001 and analyses are proceeding to study their relationship with the dispensing of AAM, and the management of allergic patients.

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E. Van Ganse, R. Harf, C. Dechamp, F. Clouet, A. Jacquier, D. Flasquel, L. Ellul, M. Calleja, L. Laforest (Lyon, Pierre Benite, St Priest, Montpellier, France). Relationship between ragweed pollen counts and delivery of anti allergic medication. Eur Respir J 2002; 20: Suppl. 38, 812

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