Association between allergic rhinitis and work productivity in a non-clinical setting: a cross-sectional study

Objective: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a prevalent condition in Japan that negatively affects workers by reducing their productivity. However, previous studies primarily focused on patients with severe AR symptoms. This exploratory study aimed to examine the association between AR, including mild cases, and reduced work productivity in the general working population. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted between March and April 2024, recruiting adult workers living in the Kanto region through a healthcare center and affiliated companies. Absenteeism, presenteeism, and weekly economic costs were compared between individuals with and without AR. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the association between AR severity and productivity. A causal mediation analysis was also conducted to explore the indirect effects of depressive symptoms, positive and negative affect, and sleep quality on the association between AR and presenteeism. Results: Of the 555 participants, 347 (62.5%) reported having AR, while 208 (37.5%) reported not having AR or were unsure. No significant differences were observed in absenteeism or presenteeism between the AR and non-AR/unknown groups. In the AR group, AR severity was significantly associated with increased presenteeism (unstandardized partial regression coefficient B=4.19 [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.48–4.90], p<0.001). Causal mediation analysis revealed a significant total natural indirect effect (TNIE) only for depressive symptoms (TNIE=5.246 [95% CI: 0.059–10.432], p=0.047). Conclusions: In the non-clinical setting, the overall impact of AR on work productivity may be limited among Japanese workforces.