Investigation into the impact of pollen allergy on the quality of life in Belgium
Allergic disorders are associated with a significant burden of disease burden due to their high prevalence and their impact on morbidity, often lifelong. This is why they constitute a major public health problem. The prevalence of aeroallergen allergies is increasing due to different interactions between environmental changes, in particular
- air pollution
- global warming
- and lifestyle.
As a person with allergies, you are invited to take part in the study by answering a questionnaire (20 minutes maximum). For the survey to run smoothly, participants must be at least 18 years old, live in Belgium, have an allergy to pollen (whether medically confirmed or not) and have symptoms of that allergy on the day they respond to the questionnaire.
We would like to thank you for your interest in our study.
I will complete the questionnaire
The questionnaire is also available in Dutch, French and German.
Why take part?
One of the potential additional vectors for the increase in aeroallergens and the prevalence of allergies is nitrogen deposition. High nitrogen levels in the environment due to the burning of fossil fuels and intensive agriculture affect:
- the distribution and abundance of plants and pollen
- the timing, duration and intensity of pollen seasons
- and, potentially, allergenic properties of pollen grains.
The aim of this survey is to understand how pollen allergy affects the quality of life in Belgium. With this questionnaire, our colleagues will be able:
- to describe and measure the quality of life of our participants
- to identify the impact that allergies to pollen have on the daily life of sufferers as well as their productivity at work
- to quantify the short-term emotional disturbances due to an allergy to pollen.
What does the study comprise?
The study comprises answering an online questionnaire (20 minutes maximum)
The purpose of the questionnaire is:
- to describe and measure the quality of life of our participants
- to identify the impact that allergies to pollen have on the daily life of sufferers as well as their productivity at work
- to quantify the short-term emotional disturbances due to an allergy to pollen.
This will enable us to obtain a more accurate picture of the impact of pollen allergy on the quality of life in Belgium. Currently, there are little or no data on this subject in Belgium.
Who is initiating this survey?
Sciensano researchers from the Mycology and Aerobiology, Health Risk and Impact Assessment and Health Information units.
Questions or technical problems?
You can contact Sarah.Nayani@sciensano.be or Nicolas.Bruffaerts@sciensano.be
Data protection and your rights
In taking part in this survey, I understand and agree to the following conditions:
- My participation is voluntary and I may end it at any time, without specifying the reason for doing so, even after having signed the consent form. I do not have to give a reason for withdrawing my consent to participate: however, the data collected up to the end of participation in the survey form an integral part of the survey. My refusal to participate in this survey will not result in any penalty or loss of benefits for me.
- Any information I provide will be used solely for the purposes of this study and my personal data will remain strictly confidential and anonymous. You are guaranteed these rights by the general European regulation on data protection of 27 April 2016 (in force since 25 May 2018) and by the Belgian act of 30 July 2018 relating to the protection of privacy with regard to processing of personal data and by the Belgian act of 22 August 2002 relating to the rights of patients.
- UCLouvain and Sciensano will use this information solely for general statistics. Although scientific publications may be drawn up based on the results of the survey, my personal data will never be passed on to third parties.
- Anonymised data will be kept until September 2024 inclusive. There is a risk of a breach of data confidentiality during this period. In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), I have the right to access modify or delete my data during this period. If you have any questions in this regard, please contact the Study Center Data Protection Officer at privacy@uclouvain.be.
- We cannot assure you that you will personally derive any direct benefit from your participation if you agree to take part in this survey. However, the information obtained through this study can contribute to a better understanding of the impact of nitrogen on the burden of allergy to pollen in Belgium.
- If you or your dependents (family) suffer any harm or damage related to this survey, such harm or damage will be compensated for by the sponsor of the study in accordance with the act relating to experiments on humans dated 7 May 2004. You do not have to prove anyone’s fault.
- Name and contact details of the insurer: Ms Amlin insurance SE, boulevard du Roi Albert II/Koning Albert II-laan, 37 1000 Brussels
- Insurance policy number: LXX111372
- This survey has been evaluated by an independent ethics committee, namely the Hospitalo-Facultaire Saint-Luc – UCLouvain Ethics Committee, which issued a favourable opinion on 07/0½023
- With regard to any questions on this subject, the UCLouvain data protection officer can be contacted at the following e-mail address: privacy@uclouvain.be.
- Any complaint about the way the data are processed can be addressed to the Belgian data protection authority: rue de la Presse/drukpersstraat, 35 — 1000 Brussels — Tel: 02/274.48.00 — e-mail: contact@apd-gba.be.
Any request/question can be sent by e-mail to:
- Ms Catherine MAGERUS (study coordinator): catherine.magerus@student.uclouvain.be
- Prof. Dr Valerie HOX (Principal Study Investigator): valerie.hox@saintluc.uclouvain.be
- For the management of complaints not resolved by the investigator, you may contact the Ethics Committee as a mediator: commission.ethique-saintluc@uclouvain.be tel.: 02/764 55 14.