title: Prevalence and risk factors of chronic rhinosinusitis in Korea.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is one of the most common inflammatory diseases with multiple etiologies. Despite its high prevalence, risk factors influencing its prevalence have not been thoroughly revealed. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence and risk factors of CRS in Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 4098 subjects that participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included in the study. Risk factors were categorized into sociodemographic and personal medical factors. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify significant risk factors of CRS. In addition, population attributable risks of the significant factors were calculated to estimate the effect on the population level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of CRS in Korea was 6.95%. Among sociodemographic factors, male sex, old age, and heavy stress were significantly related with CRS. Influenza vaccination, septal deviation, and persistent allergic rhinitis were significant personal medical risk factors of CRS. Among these risk factors, persistent/moderate to severe allergic rhinitis was proven to be the most significant risk factor for CRS at the population level.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the prevalence and risk factors vary according to time, place, and diagnostic criteria, periodic epidemiological study on CRS is necessary to reduce socioeconomic expenditure and establish an improved national health care policy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Yoo Suk
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Na Hyun
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang Yeob
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Seong
authors.forename: Kyung Rok
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Gi-Bong
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kyung-Su
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological