Logistic regression analysis to predict risk of low/mid-frequency hearing impairment in the Korean adult population.

<p>Logistic regression analysis to predict risk of low/mid-frequency hearing impairment in the Korean adult population.</p

Characteristics of patients with discordant results on the TST and QFT assays.

<p>Characteristics of patients with discordant results on the TST and QFT assays.</p

Evaluation of Audiometric Test Results to Determine Hearing Impairment in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Analysis of Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

<div><p>This study aimed to evaluate the association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and hearing impairment in the Korean adult population. Audiometric and laboratory test data from the 2010–2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were used for analysis. The relationship between RA and hearing impairment was analyzed, adjusting for various known risk factors associated with hearing impairment. RA was defined in the questionnaire as “RA diagnosed by a physician (yes/no) through a standardized interview.” We defined hearing impairment according to 2 categories of frequency (low/mid and high) as follows (average values in kHz): low/mid frequency, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0, and high frequency, 3.0, 4.0, and 6.0. Of the subjects, 15,158 (weighted n = 32,035,996) completed the audiometric tests. The overall weighted prevalence of RA was 1.5%. The prevalence of hearing impairment was higher in the subjects with RA than in those without RA, in both, the low/mid- and high-frequency categories (21.1% vs 7.5%, p < 0.001 and 43.3% vs. 26.2%, p < 0.001, respectively). In the multivariable logistic analysis, RA (odds ratios [OR] 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05–2.06, p = 0.025) was an independent risk factor of low/mid-frequency hearing impairment along with age (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.12–1.13, p < 0.001), current smoking (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.03–1.56, p = 0.026), and college graduation (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.39–0.72, p < 0.001). In the multivariable analysis of high-frequency hearing impairment, RA did not show any association with hearing impairment. This study suggests that RA is associated with low/mid-frequency hearing impairment after adjustment for various known risk factors. Further study is needed to verify the hearing impairment in RA.</p></div

Flow diagram of the study population.

<p>LTBI = latent tuberculosis infection; TB = tuberculosis; NTM = nontuberculous mycobacteria; TST = tuberculin skin test; QFT = QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube.</p

Weighted baseline characteristics of the study population (unweighted, n = 8,907; weighted, n = 13,687,058).

<p>Weighted baseline characteristics of the study population (unweighted, n = 8,907; weighted, n = 13,687,058).</p

Adjusted ORs (95% CIs) for medical comorbidities by knee OA category compared with the non-OA (Pain-/ROA-) group.

<p>Adjusted ORs (95% CIs) for medical comorbidities by knee OA category compared with the non-OA (Pain-/ROA-) group.</p

Physical activity and health-related quality of life measures across knee status categories.

<p>Physical activity and health-related quality of life measures across knee status categories.</p

Comorbidities and health-related quality of life in Koreans with knee osteoarthritis: Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES)

<div><p>Objectives</p><p>This study aimed to evaluate the association of knee osteoarthritis (OA) with comorbidities and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).</p><p>Methods</p><p>A total of 8,907 (weighted n = 13,687,058) participants aged ≥50 years who had undergone knee radiography were selected from the 2010–2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. OA was classified into four subgroups based on the presence or absence of pain and radiographic OA (ROA): non-OA (Pain-/ROA-), pain only (Pain+/ROA-), ROA only (Pain-/ROA+), and painful ROA (Pain+/ROA+). ROA was defined as Kellgren–Lawrence grade ≥ 2. HRQOL measurements including EuroQOL visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) scores and the five dimensions and summary index of the EuroQOL-5 dimension (EQ-5D index) were also analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression and linear regression analyses were performed.</p><p>Results</p><p>After adjustment for socioeconomic and lifestyle characteristics, cardiovascular disease, malignancy, and other comorbidities were not significantly associated with OA. Pain only and painful ROA were each significantly associated with limitations in physical activity (odds ratio (OR) 2.66, 95% CI 2.07–3.44, p < 0.001 and OR 2.83, 95% CI 2.25–3.58, p < 0.001, respectively), lower EQ-VAS (β-coefficient = -10.95, p < 0.001 and β-coefficient = -9.75, p < 0.001, respectively), and EQ-5D index (β-coefficient <b>=</b> -0.10, p < 0.001 and β-coefficient = -0.13, p < 0.001) compared with the non-OA group, whereas ROA only was not associated with limitations in physical activity or lower HRQOL score.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Comorbidities were not significantly associated with knee OA after adjustment. Knee OA was associated with physical activity and HRQOL. Painful knee OA, with or without ROA, was more strongly associated with decreased physical activity and lower quality of life than ROA without pain.</p></div

Clinical characteristics and comorbidities across knee status categories.

<p>Clinical characteristics and comorbidities across knee status categories.</p

Baseline characteristics of the study population (unweighted, n = 17,887; weighted, n = 37,453,158).

<p>Baseline characteristics of the study population (unweighted, n = 17,887; weighted, n = 37,453,158).</p