Allergic rhinitis children with obesity are more vulnerable to air pollution: a cross sectional study

The association between air pollution, allergic rhinitis (AR), and obesity has not been studied. From 2007 to 2011, 52 obese and 152 non-obese children (7–17 years old) with AR from Taichung, Taiwan, were recruited from a hospital in the same city. Pediatric Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (PRQLQ) and nasal peak expiratory flow (NPEF) were tested once and randomly on different days over the 5 years. Correlations between the scores and rates of the two tests and mean air pollutant concentrations within 7 days before were compared. Air pollutants included SO 2 , CO, PM 10 , PM 2.5, NO, NO 2 , and non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC). In obese AR children, correlation between higher CO, PM 10 ,, PM 2.5 concentrations and higher nasal discomfort and symptoms (higher quality of life scores) were noted. Correlation between higher CO, PM 10 , PM 2.5 , NMHC concentrations and higher nasal mucosa inflammation and obstruction (lower NPEF rates) was also noted. In non-obese AR children, no correlation was noted between air pollution and PRQLQ and NPEF. Obesity negatively affected AR severity when these AR children experienced higher concentrations of CO, PM 10 , and PM 2.5 . In these children, increased nasal obstruction and inflammation induced by air pollutants might be the mechanism explaining this association.