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Detection of microplastics in patients with allergic rhinitis
Ayşegül Tuna1, Burak M Taş2, Gökben Başaran Kankılıç3
1Infectious Disease and Clinical Microbiology, Medical Faculty, Kirikkale University, Kırıkkale, Turkey. draaslan87@gmail.com.
Objective:
We aimed to investigate the relationship between microplastics, which are a worldwide health and environmental issue, and their relationship to allergic rhinitis.
Materials And Methods:
A total of 66 patients participated in this prospective study. The patients were divided into two groups. While there were 36 patients with allergic rhinitis in group 1, there were 30 healthy volunteers in group 2. The participants' age, gender and Score for Allergic Rhinitis results were noted. Microplastics were examined in the nasal lavage fluids of the patients and their numbers noted. The groups were compared on these values.
Results:
There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age and gender. There was a significant difference between the allergic rhinitis group and the control group in terms of the Score for Allergic Rhinitis results (p < 0.001). In the allergic rhinitis group, the microplastic density in the nasal lavage was significantly higher than in the control group (p = 0.027). Microplastics were detected in all participants.
Conclusions:
We found more microplastics in allergic rhinitis patients. According to this result, we can say that there is a relationship between allergic rhinitis and microplastics.
Insights
Microplastic exposure is linked to allergic rhinitis. This study found significantly higher microplastic levels in the nasal passages of allergic rhinitis patients compared to healthy individuals, suggesting a potential connection.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Allergology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Microplastics represent a growing global environmental and health concern.
- The potential impact of microplastics on respiratory conditions like allergic rhinitis remains under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the association between microplastic presence and allergic rhinitis.
- To quantify microplastic levels in nasal lavage fluid of patients with and without allergic rhinitis.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 66 participants, divided into 36 with allergic rhinitis and 30 healthy controls.
- Nasal lavage fluid was analyzed for microplastic detection and quantification.
- Demographic data and allergic rhinitis symptom scores were recorded and compared between groups.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in age or gender were observed between the allergic rhinitis and control groups.
- Allergic rhinitis patients exhibited significantly higher microplastic densities in their nasal lavage fluid compared to healthy controls (p=0.027).
- Microplastics were ubiquitously detected across all study participants.
Conclusions:
- The findings indicate a significant association between higher microplastic levels and allergic rhinitis.
- This suggests that microplastic exposure may play a role in the development or exacerbation of allergic rhinitis.
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