Changes in Sensitization Rates In Patients with Asthma and/or Rhinitis in China between 2008 and 2018: A National Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Little is known about the changes in allergen sensitization in China secondary to the rapid economic growth over the past decade. We aimed to compare the differences of sensitization rates in patients with asthma and/or rhinitis in China between 2008 and 2018. Methods: This study analyzed cross-sectional data from national surveys conducted in China in 2008 and 2018. After finishing the questionnaire, participants underwent serum specific IgE measurement. A total of 2322 and 2798 patients were enrolled in 2008 and 2018, respectively. The significance of differences in sensitization rates among four regions of China were assessed. Correlation analysis was used to identify the associations of sensitization with climate change and planting of the Artemisia desertorum between the two surveys. Results: Compared with 2008, the general sensitization rate to mites significantly increased in 2018, and it ranked highest among all tested allergens. Sensitization to pollens, especially those of Artemisia vulgaris, showed the greatest increase in the north, with sIgE grades 4–6. From 2008 to 2018, an increase in Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus sensitization was significantly associated with the increase in relative humidity (r=0.54, P=0.037). The increase in Artemisia vulgaris sensitization was significantly associated with the increase in Artemisia desertorum planting area (r=0.67, P=0.006) and with a decrease in rainfall (r=−0.59, P=0.021). Conclusions: House dust mites remain the most important allergen in Chinese individuals with asthma and/or rhinitis. Pollen sensitization dramatically increased in the northern China. The increases of sensitization to dust mites and Artemisia were related to the increase of humidity and planting of Artemisia desertorum respectively. Funding Statement: This study was supported by the Precision Medicine Research of the National Key Research and Development Plan of China (grant no 2016YFC0905800). Declaration of Interests: We declare no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: The study protocol was approved by the ethics review board of each study center. All the participants gave written informed consent to participate in the study.