Allergic rhinitis and rhinosinusitis synergistically compromise the mental health and health-related quality of life of Korean adults: A nationwide population-based survey

Abstract

BackgroundAllergic rhinitis (AR) and rhinosinusitis (RS) negatively impact psychological well-being and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, few population-based studies have investigated the effects of these conditions on mental health and HRQoL.PurposeTo explore independent associations of AR and/or RS with mental health and HRQoL using data from the 2013–2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).MethodsThe KNHANES is a nationwide cross-sectional survey of the non-institutionalized population of Korea. A total of 15,441 adults completed the clinical examination and the health questionnaire. We divided all participants into four groups: AR-/RS-, AR-/RS+, AR+/RS-, and AR+/RS+. Logistic regression analyses were performed after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, general health behaviors, and other comorbidities.ResultsThe AR+/RS+ group contained the highest proportion of subjects with perceived stress and depressed mood. Subjects with AR+/RS+ also had more frequent problems in terms of pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression. After adjusting for all confounders, the odds ratios (ORs) were 2.96 (p = 0.009) for depressed mood and 3.17 (p = 0.013) for suicidal ideation in the AR+/RS+ group compared with in the AR-/RS- group. The AR+/RS- group reported more perceived stress (OR, 1.56, p = 0.003) and depression (OR, 1.72, p = 0.024) compared with the AR-/RS- group. In terms of the ORs for HRQoL, the AR+/RS+ group reported more problems in terms of self-care (OR, 3.73, p = 0.038) and more pain/discomfort (OR 2.19, p = 0.006) compared with the AR-/RS- group.ConclusionsIn the Korean population, AR and RS exerted a synergistic negative impact on mental health and HRQoL, especially suicidal ideation. Most patients seek help from clinicians for impaired HRQoL. Therefore, clinicians should consider the underlying mental health and HRQoL of patients with AR and/or RS, as these may be impaired by their conditions.

Sex difference in IgE sensitization associated with alcohol consumption in the general population

“…The health interview and health examination are performed by trained medical staff and interviewers in mobile examination centers. The nutritional survey is conducted in the homes of subjects 1 week after the health interview 53,54 . Peripheral blood samples were collected after fasting for more than eight hours, and were immediately processed and transported to a central laboratory (Neodin Medical Institute, Seoul, South Korea).…”

“…All subjects provided written informed consent for use of their data prior to survey commencement. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) (numbers 2010–02CON-21-C) 53 and was performed in accordance with relevant guidelines/regulations.…”

“…Regular exercise was defined as moderate physical activity performed for at least 30 minutes at a time at least five times a week. Height, weight, and waist circumference were measured by trained medical professionals 53 . The body mass index (BMI) was calculated as body weight (kg) divided by height in meters squared (m 2 ).…”

Emotional distress and quality of life in allergic diseases

“…In group with AR risk of occurring depression mood and suicidal ideation is much higher than in the control group [29]. An inflammatory process conduces to sickness behaviour, such as fatigue, anhedonia, loss of appetite, and social withdrawal or loss of interest in social activities [30].…”

“…An inflammatory process conduces to sickness behaviour, such as fatigue, anhedonia, loss of appetite, and social withdrawal or loss of interest in social activities [30]. In Korean population-based, nationwide cross-sectional study, AR and/or rhinosinusitis showed a negative impact on quality of life measured EQ-5D questionnaire [29]. Bedolla-Barajas et al [31] in their study estimated that the risk of suicidal thoughts in people with AR reached 11.7% (in the general population the prevalence of this phenomenon was 9.2% [32]), however, when compared with the control group, no correlation was found between AR and the presence of suicidal thoughts.…”