Self-Reported Allergic Rhinitis Prevalence and Risk Factors in Employees of the China National Railway.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common allergic disease globally and its prevalence is increasing year by year. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence and risk factors of self-reported AR among the Chinese National Railway train crew in the China Railway Beijing Group.METHODS: This prospective questionnaire study surveyed 1511 randomly recruited train crewmembers from 20 cities in the China National Railway network, and 494 reported having AR. A structured questionnaire was tailored, designed, and delivered electronically to all subjects. Prevalence of and risk factors for AR were analyzed based on self-reported results.RESULTS: The prevalence of self-reported AR among train crewmembers was 32.6%. Among respondents, 86.03% worked in passenger cars and 64.6% reported having worse AR symptoms while on trains. AR frequencies were 40.15% perennially and 59.85% seasonally. Among the Total Nasal Symptoms Scores (TNSS), significant differences were found between rhinorrhea and sneezing and between nasal itching and sneezing. The Rhino-Conjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) showed significant correlations between all seven sections. TNSS was significantly associated with the RQLQ. Scores of both the TNSS and RQLQ showed that the severity of AR symptoms (rp = 0.103) and the impact on quality of life (rp = 0.113) correlated significantly with seniority.CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of self-reported AR among train crew working in passenger cars is higher than that of the general Chinese population. The severity of AR symptoms and the impact on quality of life are associated with seniority, meaning the number of years working on trains.Yu R-L, Ning H-Y, Lan T-F, He H, Zheng C-B, Wang X-Y, Wang H-T, Wang X-Y. Self-reported allergic rhinitis prevalence and risk factors in employees of the China National Railway. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2023; 94(11):821-826.

[Analysis of sensitization characteristics of artemisia pollen in the Inner Mongolian grassland region of China].

Objective:The distribution and sensitization characteristics of the pollen of artemisia were analyzed in the grasslands of Inner Mongolian. Method:A face-to-face questionnaires survey about the distribution and sensitization characteristics of the pollen of artemisia was performed together with pollen skin prick tests（SPTs） and measurements of the daily pollen count in 6 region（Xilinhot, Erenhot, Duolun, Tongliao, Jarud, Kailu） in the grasslands of Inner Mongolian. Result:A total of 6043 subjects completed the study. The prevalence of artemisia hay fever was 14.38%（869/6043）. The highest prevalence was found in the 18-39 age group（43.27%, 376/869）. Subjects from urban areas showed higher prevalence of AR than from rural areas（61.22% vs. 38.78%, P<0.01）. There were significant regional differences in the prevalence of AR（P<0.01） among the six areas investigated. The main clinical symptoms of artemisia hay fever were sneezing（96.78%） and itchy nose（91.60%）. The main clinical symptoms of ocular were itchy（68.58%）. Among associated symptoms of artemisia hay fever, fatigue and somnolence were common. The peak season of artemisia hay fever was in August. The season of onset of artemisia hay fever coincides with the peak time of pollen dispersal of artemisia. The SPT positive of artemisia pollen in the investigated 6043 people was 23.98%. Among comorbidities, allergic conjunctivitis accounts for 70.77% （615）, food allergy accounts for 85.85% （746）, asthma accounts for 9.55% （83）. Conclusion:The prevalence of artemisia hay fever in grassland of northern china stays at a high level. It is very important to control artemisia hay fever.