Evaluation of the incidence of systemic symptoms in PR-10-related pollen-food allergy syndrome in Western Japan.

BACKGROUND

Pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS) primarily presents as oral allergy syndrome (OAS) with occasional systemic symptoms. Few studies have examined the systemic symptoms of PR-10-related PFAS, which are common among pediatric patients in Japan.

METHODS

Two surveys were conducted to investigate the possibility of more severe patients in medical institutions and misdiagnoses among school children: one for patients diagnosed with PR-10-related PFAS at medical institutions and another for elementary and junior high school children whose parents completed an online questionnaire. We examined allergenic foods/symptoms, incidence of OAS, and systemic symptoms in PR-10-related PFAS patients allergic to Rosaceae fruits/soybeans.

RESULTS

Among 221 patients with PR-10-related PFAS at medical institutions, 205 and 86 developed allergic symptoms to Rosaceae fruits and soybeans, respectively. The incidence of systemic symptoms was significantly higher in the soybean group (43/86, 50.0%) than in the Rosaceae fruits group (43/205, 21.0%) (p < .001). Among the 29,906 school children, 3309 (11.1%) responded; 202 were children with PR-10-related PFAS, 194 and 29 developed allergic symptoms to Rosaceae fruits and soybeans, respectively. The incidence of systemic symptoms was higher in the soybean group (12/29, 41.4%) than in the Rosaceae fruits group (46/194, 23.7%), although not significantly (p = .067).

CONCLUSION

Two surveys were conducted targeting patients with confirmed diagnoses and general students. The incidence of systemic symptoms associated with PR-10-related PFAS was similar at 20% for Rosaceae fruits and 40%-50% for soybeans in both surveys. Attention should be given to the potential for systemic symptoms in patients with PR-10-related PFAS.