Relationship between oxidative balance score and health-related quality of life in Korean adults

This study aimed to examine the relationship between the oxidative balance score (OBS) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Korean adults. We analyzed data from 4,381 individuals aged 19 years or older from the 2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The OBS was calculated based on nutrients and lifestyle factors, including five pro-oxidants and ten antioxidants. We fitted logistic quantile regression models to investigate the relationship between OBS and HRQoL. We found that the distribution of each OBS component differed significantly between men and women, except for retinol and physical activity. Men exhibited a more favorable oxidative balance in terms of antioxidant components, whereas women demonstrated a more favorable oxidative balance in relation to pro-oxidant components. This distinction highlights that although men had higher scores for antioxidant intake, women showed lower exposure to pro-oxidants. Both aspects contribute differently to overall oxidative balance and may have distinct implications for HRQoL. The logistic quantile regression model indicated that each 1-point increase in OBS was associated with a 1.02-fold increase in the median HRQoL Instrument with eight items (HINT-8) index (p = 0.006). The median HINT-8 index was 1.28 times higher in men compared to women (p < 0.001) and 1.20 times higher among individuals in the first and second income quintiles compared to those in the third and fourth quintiles (p = 0.004). This study confirmed the positive influence of OBS on HRQoL. Therefore, OBS could be used to assess oxidative stress risk and to develop tailored interventions aimed at improving health.