Vitamin D Deficiency as a Contributing Factor to Chronic Rhinitis in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: An Epidemiological Study

Background: Recent studies suggest a critical role for vitamin D in respiratory diseases, including asthma and allergic rhinitis. However, the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and chronic rhinitis, particularly in middle- and older-aged populations, remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the association between vitamin D deficiency and chronic rhinitis in middle- and older-aged adults while controlling for lifestyle and physical status factors. Methods: Data from 12,654 participants aged 40 years and older were analyzed from the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010–2012). The prevalence of chronic rhinitis and its association with serum vitamin D levels were assessed using multiple logistic regression models, adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, and physical characteristics. Results: The prevalence of chronic rhinitis was 21.1%. Participants with chronic rhinitis had a higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (69.9% vs. 65.2%) and lower mean vitamin D levels (17.73 ng/mL vs. 18.19 ng/mL) compared to those without chronic rhinitis. After adjusting for confounding factors, vitamin D deficiency remained significantly associated with an increased likelihood of chronic rhinitis (OR = 1.21, 95% CI, 1.082–1.348, p = 0.001). Conclusions: This study identifies a significant association between vitamin D deficiency and chronic rhinitis in middle- and older-aged adults, suggesting that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels may be important in managing chronic rhinitis.