Bibliometric analysis of the association between air pollution and allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an increasingly prominent global public health issue, where air pollution significantly contributes to its rising incidence. Although numerous studies have explored the link between air pollution and AR pathogenesis, comprehensive summaries are still limited.

OBJECTIVE

This study performs a bibliometric analysis to identify research hotspots and emerging trends, offering insights into AR prevention and management.

METHODS

Literature related to on air pollution and AR was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Visualization tools, including VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Bibliometrix R, were utilized to analyze contributions by countries, institutions, authors, journals, and keywords, with the aim of predicting future research trends.

RESULTS

A total of 4,020 authors, 1,368 institutions, and 75 countries contributed to 753 publications. The United States leads in research contributions, while China has shown rapid growth since 2012. Prominent authors include Deng Qihong and Lu Chan have made significant contributions. Keyword analysis revealed five major clusters: Asthma and Allergic Diseases, Environmental Factors, Climate Change and Exposures, Epidemiology and Risk Factors, and Population-Specific Research. Key topics covered include atopy, childhood asthma, climate change, pollution exposure, and air pollutants.

CONCLUSION

This first bibliometric analysis of air pollution and AR highlights a strong link between air pollution and AR pathogenesis. Enhanced environmental controls and air quality monitoring are essential for AR prevention. However, the complex composition of air pollutants presents challenges in elucidating specific mechanisms.