TY - JOUR T1 - Residential green space and seasonal distress in a cohort of tree pollen allergy patients JF - International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health Y1 - 2020 A1 - Raf Aerts A1 - Michiel Stas A1 - Naomi Vanlessen A1 - Marijke Hendrickx A1 - Nicolas Bruffaerts A1 - Lucie Hoebeke A1 - Nicolas Dendoncker A1 - Sébastien Dujardin A1 - Nelly D. Saenen A1 - An Van Nieuwenhuyse A1 - Jean-Marie Aerts A1 - Jos Van Orshoven A1 - Tim S. Nawrot A1 - Ben Somers KW - Emotional distress KW - GHQ-12 KW - Mental health KW - Residential green space KW - Respiratory Hypersensitivity KW - Tree pollen allergy AB -

Background

Residential green space may improve human health, for example by promoting physical activity and by reducing stress. Conversely, residential green space may increase stress by emitting aeroallergens and exacerbating allergic disease. Here we examine impacts of exposure to residential green space on distress in the susceptible subpopulation of adults sensitized to tree pollen allergens.

Methods

In a panel study of 88 tree pollen allergy patients we analyzed self-reported mental health (GHQ-12), perceived presence of allergenic trees (hazel, alder, birch) near the residence and residential green space area within 1 km distance [high (≥3 m) and low (<3 m) green]. Results were adjusted for patients’ background data (gender, age, BMI, smoking status, physical activity, commuting distance, education level, allergy medication use and chronic respiratory problems) and compared with distress in the general population (N = 2467).

Results

Short-term distress [mean GHQ-12 score 2.1 (95% confidence interval 1.5–2.7)] was higher in the study population than in the general population [1.5 (1.4–1.7)]. Residential green space had protective effects against short-term distress [high green, per combined surface area of 10 ha: adjusted odds ratio OR = 0.94 (95% confidence interval 0.90–0.99); low green, per 10 ha: OR = 0.85 (0.78–0.93)]. However, distress was higher in patients who reported perceived presence of allergenic trees near their residence [present vs. absent: OR = 2.04 (1.36–3.07)].

Conclusions

Perceived presence of allergenic tree species in the neighbourhood of the residence of tree pollen allergy patients modulates the protective effect of residential green space against distress during the airborne tree pollen season.

VL - 223 CP - 1 M3 - 10.1016/j.ijheh.2019.10.004 ER -