Occupational Allergic Diseases in Kitchen and Health Care Workers: An Underestimated Health Issue
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 retr...
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Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/285420 |
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doaj-74a5f178ab324314bf9c0692ca1a2d152020-11-25T00:35:13ZengHindawi LimitedBioMed Research International2314-61332314-61412013-01-01201310.1155/2013/285420285420Occupational Allergic Diseases in Kitchen and Health Care Workers: An Underestimated Health IssueUgur Bilge0Ilhami Unluoglu1Nazan Son2Ahmet Keskin3Yasemin Korkut4Murat Unalacak5Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, 9026480 Eskisehir, TurkeyDepartment of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, 9026480 Eskisehir, TurkeyDepartment of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, 9026480 Eskisehir, TurkeyAnkara Cankaya 4th Primary Care, 9006100 Ankara, TurkeyDepartment of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dumlupinar University, 9043100 Kutahya, TurkeyDepartment of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, 9026480 Eskisehir, TurkeyObjective. 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.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/285420 |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Ugur Bilge Ilhami Unluoglu Nazan Son Ahmet Keskin Yasemin Korkut Murat Unalacak |
spellingShingle |
Ugur Bilge Ilhami Unluoglu Nazan Son Ahmet Keskin Yasemin Korkut Murat Unalacak Occupational Allergic Diseases in Kitchen and Health Care Workers: An Underestimated Health Issue BioMed Research International |
author_facet |
Ugur Bilge Ilhami Unluoglu Nazan Son Ahmet Keskin Yasemin Korkut Murat Unalacak |
author_sort |
Ugur Bilge |
title |
Occupational Allergic Diseases in Kitchen and Health Care Workers: An Underestimated Health Issue |
title_short |
Occupational Allergic Diseases in Kitchen and Health Care Workers: An Underestimated Health Issue |
title_full |
Occupational Allergic Diseases in Kitchen and Health Care Workers: An Underestimated Health Issue |
title_fullStr |
Occupational Allergic Diseases in Kitchen and Health Care Workers: An Underestimated Health Issue |
title_full_unstemmed |
Occupational Allergic Diseases in Kitchen and Health Care Workers: An Underestimated Health Issue |
title_sort |
occupational allergic diseases in kitchen and health care workers: an underestimated health issue |
publisher |
Hindawi Limited |
series |
BioMed Research International |
issn |
2314-6133 2314-6141 |
publishDate |
2013-01-01 |
description |
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. |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/285420 |
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