[Analysis of characteristics and changing trends of common allergens in allergic rhinitis in a hospital of Shanghai City from 2014 to 2024].

Objective: To characterize the epidemiology of allergic rhinitis (AR) in a tertiary hospital of Shanghai City and to describe the distribution and features of allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) and total immunoglobulin E (tIgE), providing evidence to inform public-health prevention and clinical management. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted using data from 23 101 patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis in the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University from 2014 to 2024. Cases tested by enzyme-linked immunoassay were analyzed to summarize the distribution characteristics of allergic sensitization by gender, age, and season. Chi-square tests were applied to assess group differences, and multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate serum tIgE levels and their epidemiological patterns under exposure to different allergens. Results: Of the 23 101 patients with allergic rhinitis included in the study, 12 683 tested positive for at least one allergen, with inhalant allergens being the most common type. The overall sIgE positivity rate differed significantly by gender, age, and season. Males exhibited a higher positivity rate than females [56.31% (6 945/12 333) vs. 53.29% (5 738/10 768); χ²=21.2, P<0.001]. The highest positivity rate was observed among patients aged 7-12 years [75.79% (3 359/4 432)], followed by those aged 13-18 years [72.73% (1 779/2 446); χ²=2 202.5, P<0.001]. Seasonally, the highest sIgE positivity rate occurred in summer [60.64% (4 971/8 197); χ²=371.3, P<0.001].Overall, the positivity rates for inhalant allergens [55.87% (6 891/12 333)] and food allergens [2.57% (317/12 333)] were both higher in males than in females [52.74% (5 679/10 768) and 1.84% (198/10 768)]. The positivity rate for inhalant allergens showed a gradual decline with age, whereas that for food allergens remained relatively stable after adulthood. Regarding seasonal variation, allergic rhinitis due to both inhalant [60.16% (4 931/8 197)] and food allergens [2.70% (221/8 197)] was most prevalent from June to August (summer).Analysis of specific sIgE responses revealed that mite mix [46.85% (10 823/23 101)], cat dander [12.65% (2 923/23 101)], and dog epithelium [5.33% (1 232/23 101)] were the predominant allergens. Among patients with positive allergy tests, the leading causes of grade 3 or higher severe allergic reactions were mite mix [61.91% (6 700/10 823)], cat dander [35.27% (1 031/2 923)], and artemisia pollen [31.76% (101/318)].Finally, tIgE analysis demonstrated that patients with food allergies (positive for any food allergen), those positive for a single food allergen (peanut or soybean), and those positive for a single respiratory allergen (elm pollen, artemisia pollen, mold mix, hop pollen, or ragweed pollen) exhibited significantly elevated tIgE levels (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the analysis of clinical data from a large sample of people of all ages, this study shows that the incidence of allergic rhinitis in Shanghai City may have significant differences in age, season and gender, and the levels of tIgE and sIgE also show differences in age, season and gender.