Association Between Air Pollution and the Prevalence of Allergic Rhinitis in Chinese Children: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Abstract

Review question / Objective: For Chinese children, to explore whether air pollution increases the incidence of allergic rhinitis in children. Condition being studied: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common chronic inflammatory disease in the upper airways, causing nasal congestion, itching, runny nose, and sneezing. It has serious impacts on people s quality of lives, and affects economic growth indirectly. Epidemiological studies revealed that 10% to 40% of the population were suffering from AR worldwide. In addition, children are more likely to develop allergic rhinitis than adults. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in children is 25% worldwide, and 4% ~ 31% in China. Eligibility criteria: (1) Trials in which children were AR, and the diagnosis of AR was in line with the international guidelines. (2) Children’s age was limited of 0-18 years, and they were born and lived in China and at least one year of exposure to air pollution.(3) Air pollutant concentration in the test was derived from the mean value of data provided by ambient air detectors. (Include NO2, SO2, O3, PM10, PM2.5) (4) Literatures only include cross-sectional studies, cohort and case-control studies. (5) All of these articles provide data that allows us to calculate 95% confidence interval (CI) of the influence of air pollutants on AR. (6) Trials published in English only.