Association of rheumatoid arthritis with bronchial asthma and asthma-related comorbidities: A population-based national surveillance study

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the impact of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on the prevalence of bronchial asthma and asthma-related comorbidities. We also aimed to identify the influence of RA on interrelationship between asthma and asthma-related comorbidities. MethodsFrom the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, participants >40 years of age who completed questionnaires and spirometry tests were enrolled. Patient data on RA, asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sinusitis, otitis media, and body mass index (BMI) were collected. Logistic regression and network analyses were performed. ResultsA total of 14,272 subjects were enrolled, among which, 334 (2.4%) had RA. RA was significantly associated with asthma (OR 2.32; 95% CI 1.51-3.57), allergic rhinitis (OR 1.51; 95% CI 1.08-2.10), and sinusitis (OR 1.64; 95% CI 1.08-2.50). The network analysis of total patients revealed a positive interrelationship between asthma and allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, otitis media, atopic dermatitis, BMI, and RA. The interrelationship between asthma and sinusitis was stronger in the RA group. Of note, the relationship between asthma and BMI was distinctively found only in the RA group (r = 0.214, P < 0.05). In patients with asthma, the prevalence of obesity was 64% in the presence of RA, and 40% in the absence of RA (P = 0.034). ConclusionThis study supports the positive association of RA with asthma, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis. Our analysis suggests a notable interrelationship between the presence of asthma and higher BMI values in patients with RA, indicating that asthma is more obesity-related in patients with RA.

Automated summary

This study investigated the impact of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on the prevalence of bronchial asthma and asthma-related comorbidities and the interrelationship between asthma and these comorbidities. The results showed that RA was significantly associated with asthma, allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis. The network analysis revealed a positive interrelationship between asthma and these comorbidities, with a stronger relationship between asthma and sinusitis in the RA group. The study also found a distinct relationship between asthma and higher BMI values only in the RA group.