French researchers find correlations between air pollution and the severity of rhinitis. The latter would be more severe when the air is polluted.
Air pollution threatens our health. According to Inserm researchers, it could even aggravate certain pathologies. In research published on February 10, they show the existence of a link between the severity of rhinitis and atmospheric pollution. The results vary according to the type of rhinitis and pollutants.
What is rhinitis?
Between 20 and 50% of the population regularly suffer from rhinitis, an inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Sometimes of allergic origin or linked to asthma, it can also occur spontaneously. The main symptoms are sneezing, stuffy nose or itching. Rhinitis can degrade the quality of sleep and have consequences on school or professional life.
Analysis of data from over 1,400 patients
Two Inserm research teams have analyzed the effects of air pollution on long-term rhinitis. They brought together data from two cohorts on respiratory health: in total, this represents more than 1,400 patients. All had had rhinitis during the year. Scientists have developed a scale to determine the severity of the disease. They also took into account air pollution levels using nitrogen levels, fine particulate levels and car traffic data.
Variations according to the type of pollutant
According to the results, long-term pollution and the severity of rhinitis are related. The researchers specify that this correlation is stronger in non-allergic rhinitis and not associated with asthma. “These different types of rhinitis have different pathophysiological mechanisms: it is therefore not so surprising that the results diverge depending on the presence of asthma or allergic sensitivity”underlines Bénédicte Jacquemin of the Institute of research in health, environment and work of Rennes.
The consequences would be different depending on the type of pollutant present in the air. Nitrogen is associated with more severe rhinitis, regardless of its concentration in the air. Conversely, for PM10 and PM2.5 fine particles, the greater the quantity present in the atmosphere, the more severe the rhinitis.
The dangers of pollution
According to a study, air pollution is responsible for 800,000 deaths each year in Europe, and more than 9 million worldwide. It can cause asthma, respiratory or cardiovascular diseases or heart attacks. According to WHO estimates, 9 10 people breathe polluted air in the world.
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