Association between Allergic Rhinitis and Osteoarthritis in the Korean Adult Population-Based on the 3rd to 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Abstract

Background: Recent studies reported a significant association between asthma and osteoarthritis, but the relationship between allergic rhinitis and osteoarthritis has not been studied sufficiently. This study aimed to determine the association between allergic rhinitis and osteoarthritis in adults.Methods: Using data from the 3rd to 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, multiple logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted to determine the association between allergic rhinitis and osteoarthritis with adjustment for potential confounding factors in participants aged 50 years or older.Results: When adjusted for potential confounders, doctor-diagnosed osteoarthritis (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=1.32, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]=1.12–1.57, P=0.001), knee pain (adjusted OR=2.42, 95% CI=1.32–4.41, P=0.004), and symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (adjusted OR=2.69, 95% CI=1.10–6.57, P=0.030) were all significantly more frequent in participants with allergic rhinitis than in those without it.Conclusions: These findings show an evident association between allergic rhinitis and osteoarthritis in Korean adults.