Korean J Fam Pract.  2024 Jun;14(2):98-104. 10.21215/kjfp.2024.14.2.98.

Association between Allergic Rhinitis-Related Factors and Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Korean Adults over 40: The 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019–2021)

• Lee H
• Choi CJ

• KMID: 2556846
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21215/kjfp.2024.14.2.98

Abstract

Background
The prevalence of both obstructive sleep apnea and allergic rhinitis is high and these often co-exist. This study investigated the association between allergic rhinitis-related factors and the risk of sleep apnea in Korean adults.
Methods
We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 8,956 Korean adults aged 40 years or older who participated in the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2019 and 2021. Allergic rhinitis-related factors were divided into two categories: allergic rhinitis symptoms (symptoms) and prevalence of allergic disease (prevalence). Symptoms were investigated through a questionnaire and the prevalence of allergic disease was based on the doctor’s diagnosis. The risk of sleep apnea was calculated through the STOP-Bang questionnaire (snoring, tiredness, observed apnea, blood pressure, body mass index, age, neck circumference, gender), and a score of ≥3 is considered as a high-risk group. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the effect of symptoms or prevalence on the risk of sleep apnea.
Results
The risk of sleep apnea increased 1.26 times (95% confidential interval [CI], 1.10–1.44) in patients with symptoms and was higher in patients with severe rhinitis (odds ratio [OR], 1.43; 95% CI, 1.12–1.83). A higher risk of sleep apnea was associated with allergic disease, including allergic rhinitis, asthma, and atopic dermatitis (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.02–1.66, adjusted for general characteristics).
Conclusion
Severe allergic rhinitis symptoms and a history of allergic disease increased the risk of obstructive sleep apnea.

Keyword

Rhinitis; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive; Diagnostic Screening Programs; Risk Assessment; Korea