Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2025
Symptom Assessment of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis Using an Allergen Exposure Chamber
Published on: March 3, 2023
The impact of increasing ambient temperature on allergic rhinitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of
Christine Wong Wei Rong1, Hazeqa Salleh2, Haruna Nishio3
1Public Health Division, Sabah State Health Department, Ministry of Health, Federal House, Mailbox no. 11290, 88814 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia; Graduate School of Public Health, St. Luke's International University, 3-6-2, Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan.
Introduction:
Global warming appears to initiate and aggravate allergic respiratory conditions via interaction with numerous environmental factors. Temperature, commonly identified as a factor in climate change, is important in this process. Allergic rhinitis, a common respiratory allergy, is on the rise and affects approximately 500 million individuals worldwide. The increasing ambient temperature requires evaluation regarding its influence on allergic rhinitis, taking into account regional climate zones.
Methods:
A detailed search of PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and CINAHL Plus databases, was conducted, encompassing observational studies published from 1991 to 2023. Original studies examining the relationship between increasing temperature and allergic rhinitis were assessed for eligibility followed by a risk of bias assessment. Random effects meta-analysis was utilized to measure the association between a 1 °C increase in temperature and allergic rhinitis-related outcomes.
Results:
20 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, with nine of them subsequently selected for the quantitative synthesis. 20 included studies were rated as Level 4 evidence according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, and the majority of these reported good-quality evidence based on the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Rating Scale. Using the Risk of Bias In Non-Randomized Studies of Exposure tool, the majority of studies exhibit a high risk of bias. Every 1 °C increase in temperature significantly raised the risk of allergic rhinitis-related outcomes by 29 % (RR = 1.26, 95 % CI: 1.11 to 1.50). Conversely, every 1 °C rise in temperature showed no significant increase in the odds of allergic rhinitis-related outcomes by 7 % (OR = 1.07, 95 % CI: 0.95 to 1.21). Subsequent subgroup analysis identified climate zone as an influential factor influencing this association.
Conclusion:
It is inconclusive to definitively suggest a harmful effect of increasing temperature exposure on allergic rhinitis, due overall very low certainty of evidence. Further original research with better methodological quality is required.
Related Concept Videos
02:06Allergic Reactions
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
01:28Factors Affecting Body Temperature
Factors may include:
01:25Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...