Relationship Between Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases and Obesity.
OBJECTIVE
Obesity rates have been increasing for all population groups worldwide, leading to the increased development of various diseases. This study was designed is to identify the relationships between obesity and several important otorhinolaryngologic diseases, including chronic otitis media (COM), chronic rhinosinusitis, and chronic tonsillitis.


METHODS
Mean body mass index (BMI) was compared in patients with COM, rhinosinusitis, and tonsillitis and in a control group. The relationships among the prevalence rates of overweight and obesity, morbidity period, and BMI were assessed in each group.


RESULTS
Mean BMIs in the COM, rhinosinusitis, and tonsillitis groups were 24.45±2.72 kg/m(2), 24.68±3.25 kg/m(2), and 24.67±3.82 kg/m(2), respectively, with each significantly higher than in the control group (23.22±3.01 kg/m(2), P<0.05). The rates of obesity in the COM, rhinosinusitis, and tonsillitis groups were 37.5%, 42.9%, and 40.1%, respectively, each significantly higher than in the control group (24.3%, P<0.05). However, the rates of overweight did not differ significantly in the COM, rhinosinusitis, and tonsillitis compared with the control group (P>0.05 each).


CONCLUSIONS
Mean BMI and the prevalence of obesity were elevated in the three groups of patients with representative otorhinolaryngologic inflammatory diseases, including COM, chronic rhinosinusitis, and chronic tonsillitis.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Tae Hyun
TH
Kim
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Ho Min
HM
Kang
Department of Preventive Medicine, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
In-Hwan
IH
Oh
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Seung Geun
SG
Yeo
Obesity; Otitis Media; Rhinitis; Sinusitis; Tonsillitis