Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using data from 33,943 subjects aged 19 years or more who participated in the fourth and fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey performed in 2007-2012, which represents the Korean general population. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the odds ratios of each allergic condition according to the smoking status with adjustment for potential confounding factors including age, sex, region of residence, level of education, income, and alcohol consumption.
Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, neither atopic dermatitis nor asthma was associated with the smoking status (p=0.385 and 0.340, respectively). In contrast, compared to never-smokers, the odds of allergic rhinitis was significantly lower in current smokers (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 0.76 [0.66-0.87], p < 0.001), and higher in ex-smokers (1.16 [1.02-1.32], p = 0.028) after adjusting for confounders.
Conclusions: The present results may suggest the complex relationship between smoking and allergic conditions.