Authors
M L Wang, H P Zeng, J Y Zu, H C H Zhang, J Ma, X P Li, J Y Gao, T S Zhang, Y Q Gao
Published in
Zhonghua yu fang yi xue za zhi [Chinese journal of preventive medicine]. Volume 60. Issue 6. Pages 837-844. Jun 06, 2026.
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of airborne pollen in the urban area of Kunming City, explore its correlation with meteorological factors and allergic rhinitis (AR) visits, and provide a scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of local AR. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed medical records of pediatric patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis (AR) who visited the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Kunming Children's Hospital between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024. During this period, daily pollen dispersal data (including species and counts) and meteorological data were collected for Kunming city. Spearman rank correlation and multiple linear regression were used to assess the associations of pollen concentration and meteorological factors with the number of AR outpatient visits. Results: Pollen can be detected in Kunming City throughout the year, and the pollen dispersal trend was consistent in the two years. A total of 57 792 pollen grains/1 000 mm² were collected from monitoring sites in Kunming urban area from 2023 to 2024, covering 29 families/genera, with Pinaceae and Alnus as the dominant pollen types, exhibiting a bimodal pattern in spring and autumn (February-April, October-November. Spring was dominated by Pinaceae (accounting for 83.7% of the total in spring, 25 324/30 270), while autumn was dominated by the Alnus genus (accounting for 88.8% of the total in autumn, 11 832/13 322). Correlation analysis between pollen concentration and meteorological factors revealed that daily pollen concentration throughout the year was negatively correlated with the daily average temperature(r=-0.25,P<0.01), daily average relative humidity(r=-0.36,P<0.01), and daily precipitation(r=-0.32,P<0.01), and positively correlated with wind speed (r=0.21, P<0.01). The correlation analysis between pollen concentration and AR clinic visits showed that the number of pediatric AR patients was consistent with the trend of pollen concentration, with a positive correlation between daily pollen concentration and AR visits (r=0.293, P<0.05). Specifically, the concentration of Alnus pollen in autumn showed a positive correlation with both the number of AR patient visits(r=0.319,P<0.05) and the number of individuals with a positive Skin Prick Test (SPT)(r=0.36,P<0.05). In contrast, spring Pinaceae pollen concentration showed no statistically association with the aforementioned visits (r=0.142,r=-0.086, with all P values >0.05). Conclusion: Pollen dispersal in the Kunming urban area exhibits a bimodal pattern in spring and autumn, with the dominant pollen being Pinaceae and Alnus, respectively. Pollen dispersal is significantly influenced by meteorological factors, particularly daily precipitation. The variation in pollen concentration aligns with the number of pediatric AR patient visits. Alnus pollen might be a potential sensitizing pollen associated with autumn AR in children in this region.
PMID:
42331522
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 23 Jun 2026.
Read full publication at:
Please sign in
to see all details.
Advertisement
Stats
- Recommendations n/a n/a positive of 0 vote(s)
- Views 24
- Comments 0