Associations between urine iodine and allergic diseases in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2015: A STROBE-compliant article

Background: The associations between excessive iodine intake and allergic diseases have not been evaluated. Purpose: We aimed to investigate the associations of allergic diseases with urinary iodine concentration (UIC). Study design: A nation-wide population-based survey conducted by the the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Methods: In total, 5598 participants older than 19 years who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2015 were enrolled for analysis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the odds ratios for allergic diseases according to UIC. Results: Allergic diseases were associated with the highest UIC quartile. Compared with subjects in lower UIC quartiles, subjects in the highest UIC quartile were at greater risk for atopic dermatitis (OR = 1.471, 95% CI, 1.028–2.107) and allergic rhinitis (OR = 1.362, 95% CI, 1.129–1.644) after adjustment for age and sex. Conclusion: This study revealed that the highest UIC quartile is associated with allergic diseases. Further laboratory and clinical studies are needed to evaluate the associations between excessive iodine intake and allergic diseases.