title: New evidence of increased risk of rhinitis in subjects with COPD: a longitudinal population study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this population-based study was to investigate the risk of developing noninfectious rhinitis (NIR) in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a longitudinal population-based study comprising 3,612 randomly selected subjects from Gothenburg, Sweden, aged 25-75 years. Lung function was measured at baseline with spirometry and the included subjects answered a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms. At follow-up, the subjects answered a questionnaire with a response rate of 87%. NIR was defined as symptoms of nasal obstruction, nasal secretion, and/or sneezing attacks without having a cold, during the last 5 years. COPD was defined as a spirometry ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second divided by forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) <0.7. Subjects who reported asthma and NIR at baseline were excluded from the study. The odds ratios for developing NIR (ie, new-onset NIR) in relation to age, gender, body mass index, COPD, smoking, and atopy were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In subjects with COPD, the 5-year incidence of NIR was significantly increased (10.8% vs 7.4%,P=0.005) and was higher among subjects aged >40 years. Smoking, atopy, and occupational exposure to gas, fumes, or dust were also associated with new-onset NIR. COPD, smoking, and atopy remained individual risk factors for new-onset NIR in the logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This longitudinal population-based study of a large cohort showed that COPD is a risk factor for developing NIR. Smoking and atopy are also risk factors for NIR. The results indicate that there is a link present between upper and lower respiratory inflammation in NIR and COPD.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences.
authors: Joel
authors: J
authors: Bergqvist
authors: Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine.
authors: Anders
authors: A
authors: Andersson
authors: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors: Anna-Carin
authors: AC
authors: Olin
authors: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Medicine, Section of Occupational Medicine, Respiratory Diseases and Toxicology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Murgia
authors: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors: Linus
authors: L
authors: Schiöler
authors: Department of ENT and Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, NU Hospital Group, Trollhättan, Sweden.
authors: Mogens
authors: M
authors: Bove
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences.
authors: Johan
authors: J
authors: Hellgren
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014797:Vital Capacity
keywords: COPD; epidemiology; rhinitis; smoking; spirometry