Exposure to occupational agents at work should be taken into account as a risk factor for the occurrence of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). This conclusion on the chronic sinusitis study is being discussed, alongside other issues at the ninth Symposium on  Experimental Rhinology and Immunology of the Nose, SERIN, 2013 organised by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, EAACI, taking place at the University of Leuven from March 21-23.

Additionally, continued exposure in places of work is seen as a leading factor in its recurrence or persistence, as evidenced by the need for revision surgery.

Acute and chronic rihnosinusitis (ARS and CRS) are common diseases affecting up to 10 per cent of the Western population and are usually treated by functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) when medical treatment fails. However 10 to 15 per cent of operated patients respond insufficiently to FESS with the main reason believed to be exposure to inhaled noxious agents. The recent studies involving a controlled patient population further point to evidence that occupational exposure represents a large risk factor for the occurrence of rhinosinusitits and its recurrence after surgery.

Occupational agents that were most frequently mentioned by patients and controls are: bleach, inorganic dust, paints, cement, thinner, ammonia, white spirit, fuel gas and acetone with cleaners, caretakers, housewives, builders, painters, carpenters and mechanics the occupations most at risk.

The conclusion, spearheaded by professor Peter Hellings from the Department of ENT at University Hospital Leuven and Chair of SERIN 2013, reveal that in addition to the continued need to prevent harmful exposure at work, there is a further necessity for more research in this area through prospective clinical studies as well as fundamental research exploring pathophysiological mechanisms of occupational upper airway disease.

 

Estimated Occurrence of Chronic Rhinosinusitis in Europe

Portugal                    27.10%

Belgium                     18.80%

Poland                       17.10%

The Netherlands         14.30%

France                       13.30%

Italy                          10.90%

UK                            10.60%

Germany                   10.50%

Denmark                   7.90%

Sweden                     8.65%

Finland                      6.90%

 

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