Exploring Associations Between Short-Term Air Pollution and Daily Outpatient Visits for Allergic Rhinitis

Many studies have reported that exposure to air pollution increases the likelihood of acquiring allergic rhinitis (AR). This study investigated associations between short-term air pollution exposure and AR outpatient visits.

The Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University provided AR outpatient data from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021. Daily air quality information for that period was gathered from the Hangzhou Air Quality Inspection Station. We used the Poisson's generalized additive model (GAM) to investigate relationships between daily outpatient AR visits and air pollution, and investigated lag-exposure relationships across days. Subgroup analyses were performed by age (adult (>18 years) and non-adult (<18 years)) and sex (male and female).

We recorded 20,653 instances of AR during the study period. Each 10 g/m³ increase in fine particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations was associated with significant increases in AR outpatient Visits. The relative risks (RR) were: 1.007 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.001-1.013), 1.026 (95% CI: 1.008-1.413), and 1.019 (95% CI: 1.008-1.047). AR visits were more likely due to elevated PM2.5, PM10, and CO levels. Additionally, children were more affected than adults.

To better understand the possible effects of air pollution on AR, short-term exposure to ambient air pollution (PM2.5, PM10, and CO) may be linked to increased daily outpatient AR visits.