Obesity and rhinitis in a nationwide study of children and adults in the United States

Abstract

Background Obesity has been associated with higher risk of asthma and asthma severity, both in children and adults. However, studies evaluating the relation between obesity and rhinitis have yielded conflicting results. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study of obesity indicators and rhinitis using data from 8,165 participants in the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Allergic rhinitis was defined as physician-diagnosed hay fever or allergy, presence of symptoms in the past 12 months, and at least one positive allergen-specific IgE. Non-allergic rhinitis was defined as physician diagnosis and symptoms but no positive allergen-specific IgE. Multivariate regression was used to assess the relationship between obesity and rhinitis in children and adults. Results In adults, being overweight or obese was associated with increased odds of non-allergic rhinitis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.06–1.93, P=0.02). Similarly, central obesity was associated with increased odds of non-allergic rhinitis in adults (aOR=1.61, 95% CI=1.20–2.16, P<0.01). In an analysis stratified by gender, the observed associations were attenuated and became non-statistically significant in female adults, but remained significant in male adults. Overweight, obesity or central obesity were not associated with allergic rhinitis in adults. In children, central obesity was associated with reduced odds of allergic rhinitis (aOR=0.35, 95% CI=0.19–0.64, P<0.01). After stratification by gender, this association was similar in female and male children. Conclusions In adults, obesity is associated with increased odds of non-allergic rhinitis, particularly in males. In children, central obesity is associated with reduced odds of allergic rhinitis, regardless of gender.

Serum lipid levels are associated with allergic rhinitis, nasal symptoms, peripheral olfactory function, and nasal airway patency in children

“…Previous researchers have focused on the association of rhinitis with metabolic conditions, such as obesity. 5 However, we assessed the relationship of rhinitis with different blood lipids after adjusting for confounding by BMI. Dyslipidemia is an indication of the chronic inflammatory response.…”

“…Although evidence supporting a link of allergic rhinitis (AR) with dyslipidemia is limited and controversial, 2,3 many researchers have focused on the relationship of obesity and rhinitis, rather than blood lipids. 5 This study determined the association of different blood lipids with current rhinitis and rhinitis-related parameters, including nasal symptoms, peripheral olfactory function, and nasal volume. Therefore, we investigated the relationship of different components of the blood lipid profile with AR and rhinitis-related parameters in fifth-and sixth-grade students enrolled in the Seongnam Atopy Project 2017 (SAP 2017 ) cohort.…”

“…The Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS) is a nationwide, multicentre, prospective birth cohort study described elsewhere. 5,6 The physician's diagnosis of an allergic disease was verified by a questionnaire, and the lifetime prevalence of these conditions was assessed. The total serum and allergen-specific IgE titres of the mothers during pregnancy, assayed by ImmunoCAP (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Sweden), were analysed by an independent clinical laboratory.…”

Association of leptin with disease severity and inflammation indicators in Chinese obese children with allergic rhinitis

“…Over the past several decades, the prevalence of obesity in children has increased concurrently with allergic diseases, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), and atopic dermatitis (AD) . However, the direct relationship between diverse allergic diseases and obesity has varied in different studies . Specifically, numerous studies have shown a relationship between an increased body mass index (BMI) and asthma, especially in girls .…”

Prevalence of Self-reported Allergic Diseases and IgE Levels: A 2010 KNHANES Analysis

“…For example, the prevalence of pollen sensitization and allergic diseases tends to be high for those living in an environment with high atmospheric concentration of pollen 56. Demographic factors, including sex, age, and obesity, are significant contributing factors to the development of allergic diseases 789. In addition, in recent studies, the vitamin D level was suggested as a significant factor associated with the risk of allergic diseases 10.…”