Research on pollen allergy in Fuzhou, China: from the online public concern surveys to pollen monitoring.
The role of pollen as a major aeroallergen in seasonal allergic rhinitis remains understudied in Fuzhou, representing a significant gap in the local public health literature.
This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pollen allergy in Fuzhou, China, by integrating local pollen monitoring data, allergic rhinitis visits with Baidu Index search trends from both Fuzhou and the national level for comparative analysis.
This study analyzed search data from Baidu Index, pollen monitoring and allergic rhinitis visits data in Fuzhou (2023.6-2025.6). Statistical analyses were performed using R and Excel (p < 0.05).
Baidu Index data showed distinct seasonal patterns: "pollen allergy" search volumes exhibited bimodal peaks nationwide, while "allergic rhinitis" search volumes displayed broad peak (March-October) in Fuzhou. Statistically significant correlations between the keywords were found in the national level (China: r = 0.655, p < 0.001, Fuzhou: r = -0.07, p = 0.741). Two-year pollen monitoring in Fuzhou recorded a total concentration of 43,023 grains/m3, with significantly higher levels in the first year (p < 0.001). Clear seasonal peaks were observed in spring (tree pollen: Moraceae, Pinaceae, Cupressaceae) and autumn (grass pollen: Urticaceae, Poaceae). Five dominant families accounted for 66.5% of total pollen. The pollen concentration showed a significant positive correlation with the keyword "pollen allergy" (r = 0.649, p < 0.001); the correlation between pollen concentration and "allergic rhinitis" did not reach statistical significance (r = 0.242, p = 0.244). The total number of allergic rhinitis visits reached 42,166, the correlation analysis revealed no statistically significant association between daily allergic rhinitis visits and pollen concentration levels (r = -0.071, p = 0.056).
By integrating pollen monitoring data with online search data (Baidu Index) and allergic rhinitis visits, this study provides insights into pollen exposure in Fuzhou and its relationship with public health countermeasures.
This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pollen allergy in Fuzhou, China, by integrating local pollen monitoring data, allergic rhinitis visits with Baidu Index search trends from both Fuzhou and the national level for comparative analysis.
This study analyzed search data from Baidu Index, pollen monitoring and allergic rhinitis visits data in Fuzhou (2023.6-2025.6). Statistical analyses were performed using R and Excel (p < 0.05).
Baidu Index data showed distinct seasonal patterns: "pollen allergy" search volumes exhibited bimodal peaks nationwide, while "allergic rhinitis" search volumes displayed broad peak (March-October) in Fuzhou. Statistically significant correlations between the keywords were found in the national level (China: r = 0.655, p < 0.001, Fuzhou: r = -0.07, p = 0.741). Two-year pollen monitoring in Fuzhou recorded a total concentration of 43,023 grains/m3, with significantly higher levels in the first year (p < 0.001). Clear seasonal peaks were observed in spring (tree pollen: Moraceae, Pinaceae, Cupressaceae) and autumn (grass pollen: Urticaceae, Poaceae). Five dominant families accounted for 66.5% of total pollen. The pollen concentration showed a significant positive correlation with the keyword "pollen allergy" (r = 0.649, p < 0.001); the correlation between pollen concentration and "allergic rhinitis" did not reach statistical significance (r = 0.242, p = 0.244). The total number of allergic rhinitis visits reached 42,166, the correlation analysis revealed no statistically significant association between daily allergic rhinitis visits and pollen concentration levels (r = -0.071, p = 0.056).
By integrating pollen monitoring data with online search data (Baidu Index) and allergic rhinitis visits, this study provides insights into pollen exposure in Fuzhou and its relationship with public health countermeasures.