Metabolic Syndrome and Chronic Laryngitis: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008 to 2010

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with a higher risk of morbidity and/or mortality for various chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of chronic laryngitis (CL) with MetS and its components in a representative Korean population. Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008–2010) were analyzed. A total of 10,360 adults who had undergone otolaryngological examination were evaluated. The prevalence of CL in the study population was 3.1%. The prevalence of MetS was significantly higher in patients with CL than in those without CL for both sexes (men: 34.7 ± 4.0% versus 25.9 ± 0.8%, P = 0.0235; women: 40.6 ± 5.3% versus 23.7 ± 0.7%, P = 0.0003). Elevated fasting glucose, triglycerides, and blood pressure, however, were only significantly associated with CL in women. After controlling for confounders, CL was only significantly associated with MetS in women (odds ratio: 2.159; 95% confidence interval: 1.2974, 3.594). Furthermore, the association between CL and MetS was most robust in women who were classified as obese. In Korea, MetS and its components are significantly associated with CL in women.