Objectives: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data from the nationwide Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) to evaluate the association between obesity and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) or without nasal polyp (CRSsNP).

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of health survey data

Setting: Voluntary survey of representative South Korean populations

Participants: In total, 32,384 individuals aged 19 years or older with available data on CRS and obesity were included.

Primary and Secondary Outcome Measures: Diagnosis of CRSwNP or CRSsNP was performed by trained otolaryngologists through sinus endoscopy and surveys of medical history. General and central obesity was diagnosed using body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), respectively.

Methods: A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to clarify the association between CRSwNP or CRSsNP and obesity according to BMI and WC. Non-obese individuals were recruited as controls.

Results: The prevalence of CRSwNP was higher in the general (odds ratio [OR] 1.438; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.170-1.768; P < 0.001) and central (OR 1.251; 95% CI 1.031-1.520; P=0.033) obesity groups than in the control group. Prevalence of CRSsNP was not correlated with obesity. In a logistic regression analysis, olfactory dysfunction (OR 1.329; 95% CI 1.137-1.553; P ˂ 0.001) and purulent discharge (OR 1.383; 95% CI 1.193-1.603; P ˂ 0.001) showed a higher incidence in the central obesity group than in the control group.

Conclusions: We demonstrated an association between CRSwNP and general and central obesity. Further investigations on the mechanism underlying this correlation are necessary for an improved understanding of the pathogenesis of CRSwNP.