[Analysis of allergen distribution and indoor factors in allergic rhinitis in Chaoshan area].

Objective:To investigate the distribution of common allergens and indoor factors influencing the severity of allergic rhinitis in patients from the Chaoshan region. Methods:Patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis from Shantou, Jieyang, and Chaozhou were selected for serum allergen-specific IgE testing. A questionnaire survey was conducted to analyze the distribution of allergens and indoor factors affecting the severity of the disease. Results:A total of 1 800 questionnaires were collected, with 1 646 valid responses, resulting in an effective response rate of 91.4%. Among the 1 646 included patients with allergic rhinitis, there were 1 285 children（≤14 years） ，361 adolescents and adults（>14 years）；of which 999 were males and 647 were females. The top three allergens with the highest positive rates were house dust mites（n=1 457, 88.5%）, milk（n=569, 34.6%）, and crab（n=360, 21.9%）. The proportions of allergen sensitization to house dust mites, house dust, dog dander, egg white, milk, fish, crab, shrimp, and beef showed statistically significant differences between children and adolescents and adults（P<0.01）. There were also statistically significant differences in crab and shrimp sensitization between males and females（P<0.01）. Multivariate analysis revealed that active/passive smoking, religious rituals, air conditioning usage, pet ownership, air purifier usage, and bedding drying were indoor factors influencing the severity of allergic rhinitis. Among them, active/passive smoking, religious rituals, air conditioning usage, and pet ownership were risk factors for exacerbating the disease, while air purifier usage and bedding drying were protective factors. Conclusion:House dust mites are the most common allergen in patients with allergic rhinitis in the Chaoshan region. Active/passive smoking, religious rituals, air conditioning usage, and pet ownership can worsen the condition, while air purifier usage and bedding drying can help control the disease. The results of this study can provide clinical reference.

Increased serum amyloid A in nasal polyps is associated with systemic corticosteroid insensitivity in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Serum amyloid A (SAA) was involved in the pathogenesis of glucocorticoid resistance in lung diseases. However, their association with systemic corticosteroid insensitivity in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) patients remains to be assessed. METHODS: This study enrolled 32 CRSwNP patients to evaluate the association between SAA expression in NP and corticosteroid insensitivity, and the value of polyp SAA level for predicting the response to oral corticosteroids in CRSwNP patients. All patients were given a course of oral prednisone (30 mg daily for 2 weeks) and subdivided into glucocorticoid(GC)-sensitive and -insensitive subgroup according to the change in polyp size scores. The polyp specimens were obtained before and after corticosteroid treatment. SAA levels in polyp tissues were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Regression analysis was performed to analyze the association between SAA protein levels and corticosteroid insensitivity. RESULTS: 13/32 (40.62%) CRSwNP patients were insensitive to the oral corticosteroid therapy. SAA mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased in GC-insensitive NP compared to those in GC-sensitive NP. Tissue SAA protein levels were positively correlated with tissue neutrophil numbers. Regression analysis revealed tissue SAA levels were significantly correlated with corticosteroid insensitivity (P < 0.01). ROC curves indicated that the area under the curve was 0.87. When the polyp SAA protein level was 122.2 ng/ml or higher, the sensitivity and specificity were 76.92 and 73.68%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that increased SAA in NP is associated with reduced response to oral corticosteroids in CRSwNP. SAA levels in NP may have potential value in predicting corticosteroid insensitivity in CRSwNP patients.