Abstract
Objective. This study evaluated the frequencies of allergic symptoms and rate of upper respiratory infections during the past year in the general population, kitchen workers (KW) and health care workers (HCW). Methods. The European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) was used to inquire retrospectively about asthma and asthma-like symptoms and the number of treatments required for previous upper respiratory tract infections (URTI: acute pharyngitis, acute sinusitis, etc.) during the past year for health care workers, kitchen workers, and members of the general population. Adjusted odds ratios by gender, age, and smoking status were calculated. Results. 579 subjects (186 from the general population, 205 KW, and 188 HCW; 263 females, 316 males) participated in the study. Noninfectious (allergic) rhinitis was significantly higher in the HCW and KW groups than in the general population (P < 0.001). Cumulative asthma was significantly higher only in the HCW group (P < 0.05). In addition, the HCW and KW groups had significantly higher risks of ≥2/year URTI (OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.07–2.38 versus OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.05–2.38) than the general population. Conclusion. Occupational allergic respiratory diseases are an important and growing health issue. Health care providers should become familiar with workplace environments and environmental causes of occupational rhinitis and asthma.
Highlights
Allergic diseases are common and important health problems, as their prevalence is increasing worldwide
When adjusted odds ratios by gender, age, and smoking status were calculated, being a health care workers (HCW) or a kitchen workers (KW) produced a 1.97-fold risk (OR: 1.97, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.28–3.04) and 1.931fold risk (OR: 1.85, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 1.26–2.95) for noninfectious rhinitis, respectively
We evaluated the upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) risk in the three groups and found that in the HCW and KW groups there were significantly higher risks of ≥2/year URTI (OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.07–2.38 versus OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.05– 2.38) in comparison with the general population
Summary
Allergic diseases are common and important health problems, as their prevalence is increasing worldwide. Allergic diseases constitute an economic burden, as they affect quality of life and work life [1, 2]. Environmental stimulants, including indoor allergens, can affect the development of allergic responses [3]. Occupational asthma and allergic rhinitis are common respiratory diseases in industrialized countries [7]. Occupational allergic diseases can affect workers’ productivity and quality of life [8]. Many occupations are at risk of allergic diseases such as occupational asthma and allergic rhinitis. These occupational groups include health care staff, kitchen workers, spray painters, bakers, laboratory technicians, and hairdressers [9, 10]. About 250 agents have been identified as causes of occupational allergic diseases [11]
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