Associations of leisure-time and occupational physical activity with allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis in middle-aged adults: a population-based study

To explore the links of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), and occupational physical activity (OPA) with allergic rhinitis (AR) and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in a nationally representative sample of the Korean population.

10,346 participants aged 40–60 years old were obtained from the KNHANES 2014–2018 database. Physical activity levels were assessed using questions adapted from the Korean version of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Participants were categorized as having high or low LTPA or OPA. AR and CRS statuses were determined based on participants’ medical histories. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to uncover the associations between AR/CRS and LTPA/OPA. Subgroup analysis was performed considering various clinical characteristics.

The multivariate regression analysis revealed high OPA as a risk factor for AR in middle-aged adults (odds ratio [OR] = 1.474, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.130, 1.924), especially among males (OR = 1.665, 95% CI: 1.147, 2.417), individuals with BMI ≥ 25 (OR = 1.717, 95% CI: 1.124, 2.623), blue-collar workers (OR = 1.686, 95% CI: 1.074, 2.642), and green-collar workers (OR = 4.178, 95% CI: 1.642, 11.319). However, no notable correlation was revealed between LTPA and AR prevalence (P > 0.5), nor between OPA or LTPA and CRS prevalence (P > 0.5).

LTPA and OPA exhibit different links with AR, suggesting that high levels of OPA in AR individuals should be addressed. However, neither LTPA nor OPA shows a significant correlation with CRS.