Journal Article Ppublish 6 citations
PubMed: 39284302 DOI: 10.1159/000540928
Sex-Specific and Long-Term Trends of Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis, and Atopic Dermatitis in South Korea, 2007-2022: A Nationwide Representative Study.
Int Arch Allergy Immunol 186(2):166-183
Authors: Yesol Yim, Hyesu Jo, Seoyoung Park, Yejun Son, Jaeyu Park, Hyeon Jin Kim, Sooji Lee, Hayeon Lee, Damiano Pizzol, Lee Smith, Saiah Kim, Jiseung Kang, Selin Woo, Dong Keon Yon
Affiliations
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Department of Precision Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Department of Regulatory Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Department of Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Health Unit, Eni, Maputo, Mozambique.
- Health Unit, Eni, San Donato Milanese, Italy.
- Centre for Health, Performance and Wellbeing, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK.
- Department of Molecular Bioscience, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA.
- Division of Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
- Center for Digital Health, Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Department of Precision Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Department of Regulatory Science, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Department of Medicine, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Department of Pediatrics, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Although sex differences in allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic rhinitis (AR), and asthma are considered important, a limited number of studies during the COVID-19 pandemic investigated this aspect. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze sex-specific and long-term trends and risk factors for allergic diseases before and during the pandemic.
METHODS
This study utilized data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2022, including 92,135 participants aged 19 years and older. This study used weighted multivariate regression analysis to examine the estimates of related factors and assessed weighted odds ratios or β-coefficients for these factors across multiple categories.
RESULTS
During the study period (2007-2022), the prevalence of AR was more common in females than in males. Particularly in 2022, the prevalence among females was 19.3% (95% confidence interval, 17.3-21.3), while among males, it was 15.6% (13.8-17.4). The prevalence of AD and asthma showed a slight disparity between males and females. Before and during the pandemic, the prevalence of AD and AR showed a continuous increase (AD: from 2.8% [2.5-3.2] in 2007-2009 to 4.7% [3.9-5.4] in 2022; AR: from 11.7% [11.1-12.4] in 2007-2009 to 17.4% [16.0-18.9] in 2022), while asthma maintained a relatively stable trend. Moreover, this study identified several sex-specific factors that seem to be associated with a higher prevalence of allergic diseases in females, such as high household income, smoking, and being overweight or obese.
CONCLUSIONS
Throughout all the periods examined, females consistently exhibited a higher prevalence of AR compared to males. Moreover, the risk factors for males and females varied depending on the disease, with females generally facing a greater number of risk factors. Consequently, this study highlights the necessity for sex-specific health interventions and further research to comprehend the complex influence of socioeconomic factors and lifestyle choices on the prevalence and risk of AD, AR, and asthma.
INTRODUCTION
Although sex differences in allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic rhinitis (AR), and asthma are considered important, a limited number of studies during the COVID-19 pandemic investigated this aspect. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze sex-specific and long-term trends and risk factors for allergic diseases before and during the pandemic.
METHODS
This study utilized data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2022, including 92,135 participants aged 19 years and older. This study used weighted multivariate regression analysis to examine the estimates of related factors and assessed weighted odds ratios or β-coefficients for these factors across multiple categories.
RESULTS
During the study period (2007-2022), the prevalence of AR was more common in females than in males. Particularly in 2022, the prevalence among females was 19.3% (95% confidence interval, 17.3-21.3), while among males, it was 15.6% (13.8-17.4). The prevalence of AD and asthma showed a slight disparity between males and females. Before and during the pandemic, the prevalence of AD and AR showed a continuous increase (AD: from 2.8% [2.5-3.2] in 2007-2009 to 4.7% [3.9-5.4] in 2022; AR: from 11.7% [11.1-12.4] in 2007-2009 to 17.4% [16.0-18.9] in 2022), while asthma maintained a relatively stable trend. Moreover, this study identified several sex-specific factors that seem to be associated with a higher prevalence of allergic diseases in females, such as high household income, smoking, and being overweight or obese.
CONCLUSIONS
Throughout all the periods examined, females consistently exhibited a higher prevalence of AR compared to males. Moreover, the risk factors for males and females varied depending on the disease, with females generally facing a greater number of risk factors. Consequently, this study highlights the necessity for sex-specific health interventions and further research to comprehend the complex influence of socioeconomic factors and lifestyle choices on the prevalence and risk of AD, AR, and asthma.
MeSH
Regression Analysis, Confidence Intervals, Life Style, Dermatitis, Rhinitis, Allergic, Hypersensitivity, Income, Aged, Odds Ratio, Prevalence, Sex Characteristics, Sex, Risk Factors, Research, Pandemics, Rhinitis, Asthma, Overweight, Smoking, Socioeconomic Factors, Dermatitis, Atopic, Sex Differences
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- Prevalence and aeroallergen sensitization in pediatric Allergic Rhinitis: A population-based study in Jeju, Korea. PLoS One, 2025
- Family history of non-communicable diseases and the risk of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome. Sci Rep, 2025
- Global burden of asthma among children and adolescents with projections to 2050: a comprehensive review and forecasted modeling study. Clin Exp Pediatr, 2025
- Long-term trends in the prevalence of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome in South Korea, 2011-2021: a representative longitudinal serial study. Lancet Reg Health West Pac, 2025