Protocol for a prospective multicenter cross-sectional observational study to investigate the role of air pollution on allergic rhinitis prevalence

INTRODUCTION: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a major chronic inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract. A large number of epidemiological investigations have shown that the prevalence of AR is increasing, resulting in a large social burden. Importantly, the impact of air pollution on health is a widespread concern. We aim to evaluate association of air pollution and AR risk. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This prospective study includes patients undergoing AR. The exclusion criteria will be as follows: Patients with nasal infection, nasal polyps, nasal tumors, mental disorders, and immunodeficiency will be excluded. Air pollution levels of ambient air pollutants including PM2.5, PM10, sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)), carbon dioxide (CO), and O(3), and patient data will be collected. The correlation analysis will be performed in air pollutants and AR risk. DISCUSSION: This study will provide correlation of NO(2), SO(2), PM10, and PM2.5 for AR in several aspects, including symptom score, drug score, quality of life score, asthma control score, side effects, and laboratory examination such as nasal function test, serum total immunoglobulin E, and nasal secretion smear.