Epidemiology of Japanese Cedar Pollinosis-Prevalence and Sensitization Rate-

Recently, it was reported that the incidence of Japanese cedar pollinosis has increased in Japan since 1990. In this study, specific IgE antibodies to Japanese cedar pollen were measured by the CAP method. The subjects were 1, 100 patients who visited the Allegergy Clinic of the Department of Otolaryngology, Kawasaki Medical School between 2000 and 2007. The sensitization rate was 62.7%. The percent positivity was highest in the 20-29 years old group, and decreased with age.From these findings, the nationwide prevalence of Japanese cedar pollinosis was estimated to be between 15 and 20%. In addition, the annual numbers of patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis was found to be been increasing. Further epidemiological studies in various regions are required to clarify the regional variation in the prevalence of cedar pollinosis.