This article is part of the supplement: Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Annual Scientific Meeting 2009
Poster presentation
Oilseed rape allergy: is it significant? An investigation into its prevalence in an East Anglian population, UK
Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology 2010, 6(Suppl 1):P2 doi:10.1186/1710-1492-6-S1-P2
The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.aacijournal.com/content/6/S1/P2
| Published: | 12 May 2010 |
© 2010 Trinidade et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Background
Oilseed rape production is widespread in East Anglia. Many patients attending our rhinology clinic for seasonal allergy claim that they are allergic to it.
Aim
To determine the prevalence of oil-seed rape allergy in our population.
Population
General population attending a rhinology and allergy clinic in an East Anglian district general hospital, UK.
Methods and materials
Retrospective chart analysis. The results of 1475 consecutive patients who underwent skin prick allergy testing over a 2-year period were analysed.
Results
Allergy to grass pollen was found to be most common (n=375, 25.1%) followed by house dust mite (n=373, 25%) and cereals (n=301, 20.1%). Oilseed rape allergy was relatively uncommon, comprising only 1.89% of the population tested (n=28).
Discussion
Despite the abundance of oil-seed rape in our geographical region, it does not seem to be responsible for most of our cases of seasonal allergy. Other environmental factors may be contributory.