The Distribution of Allergen Sensitization and Screening Panel for Respiratory Allergic Diseases in Seven Geographical Regions of China: A multicenter study

<bold>BACKGROUND</bold> The study of the distribution of allergen sensitization in seven geographical regions of China and the allergen sensitization patterns of patients were not comprehensive, which lacks the basis of allergen detection. <bold>METHODS</bold> The study involved 4,243 patients with allergic rhinitis and/or asthma who were recruited from 25 hospitals between October 2019 and January 2023. The prevalence of 31 allergens in China was analyzed, and the optimal screening strategy was explored through the optimal combination of allergens. <bold>RESULTS</bold> 77.76 % of the patients were positive for at least one allergen. The distribution characteristics of allergens in mainland China can be divided into three clusters. Among them, the allergens in North China and Northwest China are mainly mugwort, French chrysanthemum, dandelion, ragweed, elm and other pollen allergens; the allergens in South China, East China and Southwest China are mainly house dust mite and dust mite and cockroaches and other allergens; Northeast and central China are mainly allergic to house dust mite, dust mite, sycamore tree, birch, mugwort and other pollens. In northern and northwest regions, 11 allergens were needed to screen out more than 90 % of allergic patients, while in other areas, only 5 ~ 8 allergens were needed to screen out 90 % of allergic patients. <bold>CONCLUSIONS</bold> Based on the multicenter epidemiological study, we recommended allergen screening panels in seven major regions of China, which will effectively improve regional accuracy and reduce the economic cost of allergen screening.