Epidemiology and Health

Original Article

Combined effect of anemia and chronic rhinitis on hearing loss in Korean adults: a nationwide observational study: Yeong Jun Ju, Woorim Kim, Jina Han, Soon Young Lee; Epidemiol Health. 2024;46:e2024063. Published online July 15, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2024063

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Abstract Summary PDF: Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Studies have suggested an association between hearing loss and anemia. Hearing loss has also been linked to rhinitis, which is characterized by inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes and sinus mucosa. Few studies have concurrently explored the relationships between hearing loss, anemia, and rhinitis. This study was conducted to investigate the association between hearing loss and anemia and to further analyze the potential role of rhinitis in this relationship.
METHODS
Data were collected from the 2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Hearing loss was measured with an audiometer in a soundproof booth and was defined as at least moderate impairment (as indicated by a pure-tone average of ≥41 dB in the better-hearing ear). The association between hearing loss and anemia was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. The combined effect of anemia and rhinitis on hearing loss was assessed with an interaction term.
RESULTS
Among the 2,772 participants, 477 (17.2%) exhibited hearing loss. Participants with anemia were more likely to experience hearing loss than those without anemia (odds ratio [OR], 1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.07 to 2.33). Furthermore, the odds of hearing loss were greater in participants with both anemia and rhinitis (OR, 3.79; 95% CI, 1.93 to 7.43) relative to those without either condition.
CONCLUSIONS
Anemia was associated with hearing loss in individuals aged 40 years and older. Based on the analysis of combined effects, participants with anemia and chronic rhinitis were more likely to experience hearing loss than individuals without these conditions.; Summary

Korean summary
빈혈은 흔하고 잠재적으로 가역적인 상태이기 때문에, 이 연관성을 검토하는 것은 조기 및 효과적인 중재의 새로운 기회를 제시할 수 있습니다. 이 연구는 빈혈과 청력 손실 사이의 연관성을 평가하고, 이 관계에서 비염의 역할을 추가적으로 조사하는 것을 목표로 하였습니다. 연구 결과, 빈혈이 있는 개인들은 청력 손실을 겪을 가능성이 더 높다는 것이 확인되었으며, 특히 비염을 동시에 겪고 있는 경우에 두드러지게 나타났습니다. 이를 바탕으로, 청력 손실과 관련된 공중보건 문제를 해결하는 데 있어 빈혈과 비염의 효과적인 관리의 필요성을 강조합니다.

Key Message
Given that anemia is a prevalent and potentially reversible condition, examining this correlation could present novel opportunities for early and effective intervention. This study aimed to evaluate the association between anemia and hearing impairment, while further investigating the role of rhinitis in this relationship. Our findings indicated that individuals with anemia had a higher likelihood of experiencing hearing loss, particularly among those simultaneously affected by chronic rhinitis. Therefore, we emphasize the critical need for effective management of both anemia and rhinitis in addressing public health challenges related to hearing impairment.

Data Profile

Data resource profile: the allergic disease database of the Korean National Health Insurance Service: Sunyong Yoo, Dong-Wook Kim, Young-Eun Kim, Jong Heon Park, Yeon-Yong Kim, Kyu-dong Cho, Mi-Ji Gwon, Jae-In Shin, Eun-Joo Lee; Epidemiol Health. 2021;43:e2021010. Published online January 21, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2021010

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Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Abstract

Researchers have been interested in probing how the environmental factors associated with allergic diseases affect the use of medical services. Considering this demand, we have constructed a database, named the Allergic Disease Database, based on the National Health Insurance Database (NHID). The NHID contains information on demographic and medical service utilization for approximately 99% of the Korean population. This study targeted 3 major allergic diseases, including allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and asthma. For the target diseases, our database provides daily medical service information, including the number of daily visits from 2013 and 2017, categorized by patients’ characteristics such as address, sex, age, and duration of residence. We provide additional information, including yearly population, a number of patients, and averaged geocoding coordinates by <i>eup, myeon</i>, and <i>dong</i> district code (the smallest-scale administrative units in Korea). This information enables researchers to analyze how daily changes in the environmental factors of allergic diseases (e.g., particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and ozone) in certain regions would influence patients’ behavioral patterns of medical service utilization. Moreover, researchers can analyze long-term trends in allergic diseases and the health effects caused by environmental factors such as daily climate and pollution data. The advantages of this database are easy access to data, additional levels of geographic detail, time-efficient data-refining and processing, and a de-identification process that minimizes the exposure of identifiable personal information. All datasets included in the Allergic Disease Database can be downloaded by accessing the National Health Insurance Service data sharing webpage (https://nhiss.nhis.or.kr).

Summary

Korean summary
알레르기질환DB는 환경적 변화와 의료이용 연관성 연구를 지원하기 위해 만들어진 누구나 다운로드 가능한 공개용DB이다. 알레르기질환DB는 한국 전국민의 사회인구학적 특성 및 의료이용 정보가 구축되어 있는 국민건강보험공단의 국민건강정보DB를 활용하여 구축되었다. 알레르기질환DB는 2013년~2017년 알레르기성 비염, 아토피, 천식 상병코드로 청구된 의료이용 정보를 제공하고 있으며, 이를 활용하여 특정 지역에 다양한 환경적 변화와 의료이용과의 연관성 연구 등에 활발히 활용될 것으로 기대된다.

Key Message
The Allergic Disease Database based on the National Health Insurance Data is constructed for analyzing how environmental factors affect the use of medical services. The database provides most Korean medical service information of allergic diseases, such as allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and asthma from 2013 and 2017. This information enables researchers to study how daily changes of environmental factors in certain regions would influence patients’ behavioral patterns of medical service utilization. Moreover, researchers can analyze the long-term trend of allergic diseases, and health effects caused by environmental factors such as daily climate and pollution data.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Evaluation of the Regulatory Required Post-Authorization Safety Study for Propacetamol: Nested Case-Control and Case-Time-Control Studies
Sungho Bea, Dongwon Yoon, Han Eol Jeong, Juhong Jung, Seung-Mok Park, Juhee Jeon, Young-Min Ye, Jae-Hyun Lee, Ju-Young Shin
Yonsei Medical Journal.2024; 65(2): 120. CrossRef
The relationship between exposure to environmental noise and risk of atopic dermatitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis
Yongho Lee, Seunghyun Lee, Seula Park, Seong-Kyu Kang, June-Hee Lee, Dong-Wook Lee, Won-Jun Choi, Wanhyung Lee
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety.2023; 268: 115677. CrossRef
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Original Article

Distribution of House Dust Mites in the Bedroom of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis in Pusan Area.: Soon Ock Choi, Baik Kee Cho, Jung Soon Moon; Korean J Epidemiol. 1997;19(2):190-199.

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Abstract PDF: Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate distribution of the house dust mites in the bedroom of allergic rhinitis patients in Pusan. From July to December 1995, 51 dust samples were drawn from the bedroom of the patients by using electronic vaccum cleaner. House dust mites were isolated from 50mg dust by applying the modified wet sieving method. The results were as follows: 1 Out of a total 49 dust samples(96.1%) were isolated house mites. 2 Total 977 mites were collected and identified the most prevalent house mites was Pyroglypidae mite with 92.2%. Among them D.pteronyssinus was predominant species. 3 In 1gm of the house dust, 100-499 mites were found in 17 samples(33.3%), more then 500 mites in 12 samples (23.6%). 4 The density of Pyoglypidae mite was close associated with the month. 5 The density of house dust mite was not affected by the type of house, region and the relative humidity of the bed room; Summary

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