Association between allergic rhinitis and metabolic conditions: a nationwide survey in Korea

BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence indicates a strong correlation between allergic disease and cardiovascular risks. In spite of this, the data concerning the association between allergic rhinitis (AR) and cardiovascular risks is sparse and conflicting. This study aimed to investigate the association between AR prevalence and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in a large-scale, population-based survey, while considering the relevant risk factors. METHODS A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted based on data from 30,590 subjects aged 19 years and older, from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey 2007-2013. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) of AR prevalence, based on MetS status and the presence of any MetS component, were calculated using multiple logistic regression analyses. RESULTS Regarding the characteristics of patients with AR and/or MetS, some variables had significant associations with disease in inverse directions for AR and MetS. Multivariate logistic analysis, with adjustments for demographic variables and health habits, indicated that AR prevalence was significantly lower in subjects with MetS (OR 0.84; 95 % CI 0.76-0.93), high blood pressure (OR 0.85; 95 % CI 0.77-0.94), or impaired fasting glucose (OR 0.81; 95 % CI 0.73-0.89). Furthermore, high blood pressure and impaired fasting glucose were significant predictors for reduced AR prevalence, independently of other MetS components. CONCLUSION In this population, AR was diagnosed less frequently in subjects with metabolic conditions. Well-designed prospective studies allowing for medical service utilization and collaborative basic research are warranted to elucidate the mechanism responsible for this inverse relationship.