Main Airborne Pollen Species and Characteristics of Allergic Rhinitis Patients with Pollen-Related Allergies in 13 Northern Chinese Cities

Background: Pollen allergies have a high prevalence in northern China, whereas, the types of pollen allergens and population characteristics among different regions remain unclear.
Objective: To study the species and temporal distribution of the main allergenic pollen, as well as the characteristics of patients with pollen-related allergic rhinitis (AR) in different cities in northern China.
Methods: Pollen data were obtained from pollen-monitoring stations in 13 cities of northern China between 2020 and 2021. Questionnaire surveys and allergen testing were conducted in 494 patients with pollen-related allergies from Beijing in Central, Shenyang in Northeast, and Xi’an in Northwest China.
Results: In 13 cities of northern China, the main sources of pollen were cypress, poplar, elm, pine, birch and ash in spring, and mugwort, goosefoot, hop and ragweed in autumn. In Northwest China, the spring and autumn pollen periods started earlier and lasted longer than that in Central and Northeast China, and the pollen counts in autumn in was significantly higher than that in Central and Northeast China. Furthermore, the nasal, ocular and respiratory symptom and quality of life scores of AR patients in Northwest China were significantly higher than that in Central and Northeast China. 69.32– 73.28% of patients had annual cost of anti-allergic medication between 500– 5000 yuan. However, 40.93– 48.86% of patients reported minor control of symptoms.
Conclusion: Our results can be used as a basis for developing effective prevention and management measures for patients with pollen-related allergy in these regions, including timely pollen monitoring, patient guidance on protective measures, early intervention, and specific immunotherapy, to improve pollen-related allergy management.