Increased risk of rhinitis symptoms in subjects with gastroesophageal reflux

This study shows that gastroesophageal reflux and tobacco smoke are associated with adult-onset non-infectious rhinitis (NIR). The results support an association between gastroesophageal reflux and upper airway inflammation.

To examine the incidence of adult-onset NIR in relation to several risk factors.

This is a follow-up study of 3307 randomly selected men and women aged 25-75 years from a general population-based sample. At baseline, the subjects were investigated with questionnaires, a pulmonary function test, blood samples, and FENO. At follow-up 4 years later, all the subjects were mailed a respiratory questionnaire. The incidence of NIR and associated risk factors, such as smoking, atopy, asthma, cough, obesity, and gastroesophageal reflux, was assessed.

The response rate at follow-up was 92%. The incidence of new-onset NIR was 14.9/1000 person-years (n = 247). In a regression model including age, gender, obesity, asthma, cough, and atopy, both current smoking (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.5, p = 0.002) and gastroesophageal reflux (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4-3.1, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with adult-onset NIR.