D3.468 - Effect of Microplastic Inhalation on Allergic and Nonallergic Rhinitis

Microplastics are increasingly prevalent in daily life. While their adverse effects on health are wel-known, their specific role in rhinitis has not been fuly established.

Method Demographic data, alergy skin prick test and alergen sIgE results, respiratory function tests, mini-Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (mini-RQLQ) and Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) of patients aged 18-65 who applied to the a lergy clinic were recorded. Nasal lavage fluids sampled performed with physiological serum were placed in glass tubes for al cases. After the filtration process of the samples was completed, microplastic counts were performed under an M80 Stereomicroscope.

mean age of 30.27±10.53 years were investigated. Microplastic density in nasal lavage fluid was higher in al rhinitis patients (n: 60) with no different between a lergic and non-alergic- than controls (Rhinitis: 3.10±1.00 units/mL, AR: 3.23±1.29 units/mL, NAR: 2.97±0.57 units/mL, Controls: 1.18±0.52 units/mL, p< 0.001). Microplastic density was higher in young people than in older people (18 30 years; 2.79±1.22, 31-45; 2.18±1.13, 46-60 years; 1.5±1.09 units/mL, p< 0.05). While microplastic density was not associated with TNSS in patients, a significant correlation was found with sneezing only (p:0.02, r:-0.301). Although no significant correlation was found between the Mini-RQLQ total and microplastic densities (p>0.05), a significant correlation was found with nasal symptoms subparameter (p:0.01 r:-0.306). No significant relationship was found between rhinitis symptom severity and microplastic distribution.

In this study, regardless of a lergy or non-alergy, higher microplastic density was found in nasal lavage of rhinitis patients than healthy individuals. These results support the idea that microplastics cause ce l damage and trigger inflammation in the upper airways.