title: Association between Chronic Laryngitis and Particulate Matter Based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2012.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic laryngitis (CL) has been described as chronic inflammation of the larynx. CL have various causes such as long-term smoking, acid reflux, voice overuse, bronchitis, allergies, pneumonia, excessive exposure to toxic chemicals and complications from the flu or a chronic cold. However, the prevalence of CL and role of air pollution in the etiology is uncertain.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between CL and particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 10 μm (PM10) in South Korea using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) during 2008-2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  KNHANES is a cross-sectional survey of the civilian, non-institutionalized population of South Korea (n = 21,116). A field survey team that included an otolaryngologist moved with a mobile examination unit and performed interviews and physical examinations. The mean annual concentrations of ambient PM10, SO2, O3, NO2, and CO levels in Korea were determined from monitoring station data. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the relationship of air pollution to CL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the population ≥ 19 years of age, the weighted prevalence of CL was 3.37 ± 0.30% (95% confidence interval, 2.79-3.95%). CL was more prevalent in men, current smokers, and those with lower household income and prevalence increased with age. A significant decrease over time was observed in the prevalence of CL (P for trend = 0.0049) and the annual average concentrations of PM10 (P for trend < 0.0001) from 2008 to 2012. In a multivariate model, the factors associated with CL included PM10 (odds ratio [OR], 1.378, p = 0.0457), age (OR, 1.020, p<0.0001), sex (OR, 0.734, p = 0.0179), and smoking status (OR, 1.438, p = 0.0054).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Elevated PM10 exposures could be associated with increased risk of CL in South Koreans. Further epidemiological and experimental studies are necessary to clarify the impact of chronic PM10 exposure on CL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Hoon
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Joo
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seong-Soo
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-do
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007827:Laryngitis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D010316:Particle Size; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D052638:Particulate Matter