Impact of Particulate Matter on the Clinical Characteristics of Rhinitis.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS To investigate the association between PM10 concentration and the severity of rhinitis symptoms. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. METHODS Retrospective analysis of the data of 590 participants prospectively enrolled in a regional population-based cohort study was performed. The ambient PM10 concentrations were measured at 12 different observatories located in three cities. All participants were screened for allergic sensitization by skin prick tests and asked to complete questionnaires regarding their rhinitis symptoms. The severity and duration of rhinitis were analyzed and compared at different levels of PM10 concentration. RESULTS: On multivariate analysis, the PM10 concentration significantly correlated with the severity of symptoms when adjusting for age, sex, presence of sensitized allergen, region, and the time of enrolment (β = 0.102, P = .021). Positive correlation was found between PM10 concentration and the duration of allergic rhinitis symptoms (β = 0.082, P = .077). In the stratified analysis on the atopic status, there was a significant correlation between PM10 concentration and the severity and duration of rhinitis symptoms in those without allergic sensitization (β = 0.104; P = .032 and β = 0.104; P = .011, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The significant correlation between the annual PM10 concentration and severity and duration of rhinitis symptoms suggests the necessity of intensive management of rhinitis patients exposed to elevated levels of ambient PM10 concentration. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3 Laryngoscope, 2020.