The Influence of Environmental Pollution on the Incidence of Allergic Rhinitis in Urban Populations: A Case-Control Study
Abstract
Background: Allergic rhinitis is an inflammatory upper-airway disorder that may be aggravated by traffic emissions, particulate pollution, construction dust, and household environmental exposures. Objective: To examine the association between categorized environmental pollution exposure and allergic rhinitis among adults in Lahore, Pakistan. Methods: This case-control study included 240 adults comprising 120 clinically diagnosed allergic rhinitis cases and 120 controls. Demographic, residential, household, hereditary, and environmental exposure data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Group differences were assessed using appropriate comparative tests, and binary logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results: High pollution exposure was reported by 68.3% of cases and 36.7% of controls. High pollution exposure was independently associated with allergic rhinitis (adjusted OR: 3.18; 95% CI: 1.83–5.53), as were residence near a major road (adjusted OR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.24–3.63), industrial or construction exposure (adjusted OR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.07–3.34), indoor dust exposure (adjusted OR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.02–2.97), and family history of allergy (adjusted OR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.10–3.75). Passive smoking was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Categorized environmental pollution and related residential exposures were associated with higher odds of allergic rhinitis among adults in Lahore. Prospective studies…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case-control, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 240 participants or records.
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