title: A cross-sectional study into the correlation of common household risk factors and allergic rhinitis in Taiwan's tropical environment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the effect of lesser-known potential risk factors, such as bedroom showers, on the prevalence of allergic rhinitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional, population-based study was performed using both survey and fungal culturing in southern Taiwan. There were 998 participants enrolled in the survey, and 513 sets of fungal culture obtained. With score for allergic rhinitis (SFAR) more than 7, the patient was defined to have allergic rhinitis. Risks of allergic rhinitis were calculated as odds ratios for various predicted risk factors by logistic regression. Correlation between predicted risk factors and fungal level were examined with linear regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The adjusted odds ratio of frequently using bedroom shower to having allergic rhinitis was 1.572 (95% confidence interval: 1.090-2.265), and 0.962 for people with older age to have AR (95% confidence interval: 0.949-0.976). As to the 24-hour fungal level, the standardized coefficient was 0.254 for frequent use of bedroom shower, and 0.106 for window open hours.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of bedroom shower is a potential risk factor for allergic rhinitis development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
authors.forename: Yu-Hao
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Wake Forest University, NC 27109, USA.
authors.forename: Yu-Chieh
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Pi-Hsiung
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: Anshing Clinic, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chung-Yang
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education and Research, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chung-Ren
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Jan
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan. Electronic address: shsu@vghks.gov.tw.
authors.forename: Hsing-Hao
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Su
keywords: Allergens; Allergic rhinitis; Environment; Fungi; Indoor air quality