title: Analysis of various risk factors predisposing subjects to allergic rhinitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Korea, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) is increasing, as in other industrialized countries. However, no large population-based study defining risk factors for AR has yet been conducted.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of AR in large population-based study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was performed using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We evaluated data from 31,217 subjects who were interviewed between 2008 and 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of AR decreased with age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.985; 95% CI = 0.984-0.987). Higher-level stress (AOR for severe stress = 1.470; 95% CI = 1.209-1.788); asthma (AOR = 1.868; 95% CI = 1.582-2.205); atopic dermatitis (AOR = 1.552; 95% CI = 1.309-1.841); pulmonary tuberculosis (AOR = 1.320; 95% CI = 1.119-1.555); depression (AOR = 1.250; 95% CI = 1.117-1.400); and thyroid disease (AOR = 1.328; 95% CI = 1.104-1.597) increased the risk of AR. Participants whose parents had a history of AR also had higher AORs (father, AOR = 1.566; 95% CI = 1.130-2.172; mother, AOR = 1.546; 95% CI = 1.190-2.008). Marriage (AOR = 0.846; 95% CI = 0.741-0.966) decreased the risk of AR. Farmers, fishers, laborers, and soldiers were at lower risk of AR. Although high BMI, a high educational level, living in a large household, specific types of daily living, and a history of diabetes mellitus have been reported as risk factors for AR; none of these factors attained statistical significance in the present study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study revealed that age, stress level, marriage, occupation, asthma, atopic dermatitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, depression, thyroid disease, and parental AR history, all affected the prevalence of AR. We believe that defining the influence of various factors on AR will help to prevent development of the condition in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Thyroid/Head & Neck Cancer Center of the Dongnam Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences (DIRAMS), Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Soo-Youn
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: Hyo Geun
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Si Whan
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Bumjung
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Joong Seob
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jeong Hun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Myung-Whun
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Sung
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009790:Occupations; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010375:Pedigree; D015995:Prevalence; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult