Abstract
BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis (AR) was affected by meteorological and environmental factors. This study investigated the association between clinical symptoms of AR patients with pollen dispersal and meteorological conditions. METHODS: The clinical features of 10,838 AR patients who were treated in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, from March 2021 to October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. We collected pollen by a pollen collector, read and counted it under a microscope, identified the species of the pollen particles, and recorded meteorological data (average daily temperature, maximum and minimum temperature, average daily wind, average daily precipitation, average daily humidity, average pressure, air quality index, PM2.5, PM10, SO(2), NO(2), CO, and O(3)), to analyze the correlation among meteorological conditions, pollen dispersal, and number of AR visits. Finally, pollen allergen-positive and symptoms were scored. RESULTS: Among the AR visits, patients >41 years old accounted for the highest proportion (64.15%). 43.67% of the patients were complicated with bronchial asthma, and the disease incidence peaked in September. During the period of the study, a total of 27,512 pollen grains were collected, and 17 species were identified. The pollens of Compositae and Moraceae were the main allergenic sources leading to the increase in AR visits from August to September. The peak of pollen dispersal was in spring, summer, and autumn. The total amount of pollen was not only related to the average daily minimum temperature, average daily precipitation, and average daily humidity but also had a significant correlation with air quality index and air pollutants (PM2.5 and PM10, SO(2), NO(2), and CO). In addition, there was a significant correlation between the number of daily pollen allergen-positive patients and the pollen concentration of Compositae and Moraceae as well as air pollution components. The clinical symptoms of pollen allergen-positive patients were mainly nasal congestion, red/itchy eyes, and epiphora. CONCLUSION: The peak seasons of pollen dispersal in Shenyang were in spring, summer, and autumn, and the allergenic pollens were mainly Compositae and Moraceae. In addition, AR was substantially correlated with pollen concentration and meteorological factors. This study may help provide early warning information and prevention for AR patients.