Association of Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intake with Allergic Rhinitis in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study of NHANES 2005–2006

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The incidence of allergic rhinitis (AR) is increasing year by year, and the pathogenesis is complex, in which diet may play an important role. The role of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in AR is still controversial. Previous studies have looked at the effects of PUFA during pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence. In this study, we aimed to determine the association between dietary intake of PUFA and AR in adults. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We used the NHANES database from 2005 to 2006 to include a total of 4,211 adult subjects. We collected dietary PUFA intake data and information on AR. Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline models were constructed to examine the association between PUFA intake and AR in adults. The <i>t</i> test was used to compare daily PUFA intakes in patients with and without AR. <b><i>Results:</i></b> In the fully adjusted model (OR: 1.016; 95% CI: 1.003; 1.028), PUFA intake was positively correlated with allergic symptoms, hay fever, and AR in adults (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.05). In addition, daily PUFA intake was significantly higher in people with allergic symptoms, hay fever, and AR than in people without the disease (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.01). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Our results suggest a positive association between dietary PUFA intake and AR in adults to a certain extent. Future studies on dietary PUFA dose will provide new strategies for the prevention and treatment of allergic diseases such as AR related to non-pharmaceutical interventions.