Menopausal hormone therapy may increase non-allergic rhinitis among postmenopausal women: Results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010–2012)

Objectives To investigate the association between menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) and chronic rhinitis. Methods The data used in this study were derived from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The analysis included 2967 postmenopausal women under 70 years of age, and with no missing data. The questionnaires about MHT, current life habits, reproductive history, and rhinitis were reviewed. The levels of total IgE and specific IgE for Dermatophagoides farinae, cockroaches, and dogs were measured, using approximately 10% of all samples. We compared women who were users of MHT and non-users of MHT. We also compared women with and without chronic rhinitis. Results Of 2967 women matching the study criteria, 567 were MHT users. The proportion of general rhinitis symptoms was greater among MHT users (24.5%) than among MHT non-users (18.9%, p = 0.003). The proportion of cases of rhinorrhea or posterior nasal drip was also greater among MHT users (6.3% vs. 4.3%, p = 0.042), while there were no differences between the two groups in the proportion of cases of nasal obstruction. There were no differences in total IgE and specific IgE levels between the two groups. MHT was used by 23.4% of women with chronic rhinitis and 18.0% of women without chronic rhinitis. Age, waist circumference, and body mass index were also increased among women without chronic rhinitis compared with those with chronic rhinitis. Conclusions MHT may cause non-allergic rhinitis in postmenopausal women. Age and obesity may also affect the occurrence of non-allergic rhinitis in postmenopausal women.