title: Increased risk of rhinitis symptoms in subjects with gastroesophageal reflux.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that gastroesophageal reflux and tobacco smoke are associated with adult-onset non-infectious rhinitis (NIR). The results support an association between gastroesophageal reflux and upper airway inflammation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the incidence of adult-onset NIR in relation to several risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a follow-up study of 3307 randomly selected men and women aged 25-75 years from a general population-based sample. At baseline, the subjects were investigated with questionnaires, a pulmonary function test, blood samples, and FENO. At follow-up 4 years later, all the subjects were mailed a respiratory questionnaire. The incidence of NIR and associated risk factors, such as smoking, atopy, asthma, cough, obesity, and gastroesophageal reflux, was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate at follow-up was 92%. The incidence of new-onset NIR was 14.9/1000 person-years (n = 247). In a regression model including age, gender, obesity, asthma, cough, and atopy, both current smoking (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.5, p = 0.002) and gastroesophageal reflux (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4-3.1, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with adult-onset NIR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hellgren
authors.forename: Anna-Carin
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Olin
authors.forename: Kjell
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Torén
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Non-infectious rhinitis; obesity; smoking; upper airway inflammation