Association between air pollution and the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in Chinese children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Allergy Asthma Proc. 2022 Sep 1;43(5):e47-e57. doi: 10.2500/aap.2022.43.220044.

Abstract

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common chronic inflammatory disease with bothersome symptoms. However, the effect of air pollution on the prevalence of AR in children is controversial. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the association between air pollution and the prevalence of AR in Chinese children. Methods: This study, in China, included 160,356 students ages 0-18 years who completed a questionnaire about the accuracy of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). The effect of different air pollutants on the prevalence rate were evaluated by meta-analysis. Also, it evaluated the effect of different air pollutants on the prevalence rate. Results: The differences in the effects of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) exposure (combined odds ratio [ORcombined] 1.03 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.01-1.05]; p = 0.010) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) exposure (ORcombined 1.11 [95% CI, 1.05-1.18]; p = 0.0006) on the risk of childhood AR was statistically significant. The effect of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of <10 μm (PM10) exposure on the risk of childhood AR was statistically significant (ORcombined 1.02 [95% CI, 1.01-1.03]; p < 0.001), the effect of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of <2.5 μm (PM2.5) exposure on the risk of childhood AR was statistically significant (ORcombined 1.15 [95% CI, 1.03-1.29]; p = 0.02), and the effect of ozone exposure on the risk of childhood AR was not statistically significant (ORcombined 0.98 [95% CI, 0.67-1.41]; p = 0.13). Conclusion: NO₂, SO₂, PM2.5, and PM10 were associated with the prevalence of AR in Chinese children. PM2.5 had the highest correlation with AR prevalence.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Air Pollutants* / adverse effects
  • Air Pollution* / adverse effects
  • Air Pollution* / analysis
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • China / epidemiology
  • Environmental Exposure / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Nitrogen Dioxide / analysis
  • Particulate Matter / adverse effects
  • Prevalence
  • Rhinitis, Allergic* / epidemiology
  • Rhinitis, Allergic* / etiology
  • Sulfur Dioxide / adverse effects
  • Sulfur Dioxide / analysis

Substances

  • Air Pollutants
  • Particulate Matter
  • Sulfur Dioxide
  • Nitrogen Dioxide