(1207) Allergic Rhinitis in the Dominican Republic: Tropical Climate Influences

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis in tropical climates presents distinct clinical challenges due to continuous aeroallergen exposure and persistent environmental triggers. This literature review examines how tropical climate factors influence allergic rhinitis prevalence, symptom patterns, and disease control in the Dominican Republic.

Methods: A structured literature review was conducted of peer-reviewed publications from 2010–2025 using PubMed, Scopus, and LILACS. Search terms addressed allergic rhinitis, tropical climate, aeroallergens, humidity, air pollution, and disease control. Of 502 identified articles, 28 were included based on relevance to tropical settings and clinical applicability. Included studies comprised epidemiologic and clinical observational studies, guideline documents, and relevant reviews. Data were qualitatively synthesized to identify climate-related exposures, dominant aeroallergens, and implications for clinical management.

Results: Across the reviewed literature, allergic rhinitis in tropical and subtropical regions consistently differed from temperate patterns. Studies reported predominantly persistent, year-round symptoms with limited seasonality, largely attributed to continuous exposure to indoor aeroallergens. House dust mites and molds were identified as dominant sensitizing agents, with several studies describing higher rates of polysensitization and prolonged symptom burden. Sustained humidity, temperature, air pollution, and climate variability were associated with increased symptom persistence and difficulty achieving disease control.

Conclusions: Allergic rhinitis in tropical climates follows a predominantly chronic, year-round course driven by continuous environmental exposure and conditions distinct from temperate regions. While available evidence supports meaningful differences in disease expression and management challenges, region-specific data for the Dominican Republic remain limited, underscoring the need for climate-adapted clinical strategies and further research in tropical populations.