The incidence of allergic diseases in most industrialized countries has increased. Research
suggests a causative relationship between air pollution and the increased incidence of allergic rhinitis, asthma and other allergic disorders.23
Research on Prevalence of AR in the Middle East
Researchers from the Middle East have commented on a number of factors that may have contributed
to the rise in the prevalence of AR over recent decades:25
- Irrigation for agriculture of previously desert zones;
- The ornamental “greening” of desert cities with often imported plants;
- The increased use of air-conditioning in dwellings, which allows dust mites to be present even
in the hot, arid desert climate…
- …and more generally, a progressive shift to many aspects of a western lifestyle.25
In addition to that, researchers attribute the rise of incidence of allergic rhinitis in the GCC
countries to the discovery of oil and the concomitant industrialized changes, rise in pollution
and variations in
the environmental landscape.24
The broad variety of aeroallergens in the Middle East is related to the differing climates and
indoor environments encountered across the region.25
Types of allergens observed in the Middle East
The Middle East is stereotypically considered to have a dry, arid, desert-like, with hot summers,
mild dry winters and almost no rainfall.25 While this is true of much of the land
masses of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, Yemen, Syria and Iraq, these countries also have coastal
regions that experience a subtropical or Mediterranean climate and/or mountainous regions that
experience lower summer temperatures and colder, wetter winters. 25Some authors have
speculated that specific weather features (such as sandstorms) may influence aeroallergen exposure
and sensitization. 25
A very wide range of indoor and outdoor allergens have been observed across the region.
These include several types of house dust mites and storage mites, dander from animals, spores
from moulds, insect allergens and pollens from hundreds of different grasses, weeds, shrubs, and
trees.25
A study has shown that the most common allergens in the GCC were dust, followed by smoke, food,
pollen and animal fur/hair (cats, dogs, and birds) respectively.24