Occupational rhinitis

[Occupational asthma in the Tunisian central region: etiologies and professional status]

OBJECTIVE

To study the etiologies of occupational asthma and determine its impact on the professional status of asthmatic subjects.

METHODS

The authors carried out a descriptive study on all of the cases of asthma recognized as an occupational disease and declared in the private sector over nine years (2000-2008) in the Tunisian central region.

RESULTS

Cases (219) of occupational asthma were listed, accounting for 16.8% of all of the occupational diseases recognized during the period studied. Occupational asthma concerned young adults (40±8.2 years), with a predominance of women (67.7%). The textile sector dominated (74.9%). The majority of the employees were exposed to high molecular weight allergens (82.3%) and cotton dust was the principal offending agent (75.3%). Involuntary unemployment was observed in about half of the cases (46.6%) and was associated with an age lower or equal to 35 years (p = 0.01) and under 15 years of professional seniority (p=0.03).

CONCLUSION

Occupational asthma in the Tunisian central region prevails in the textile sector thereby justifying the reinforcement of preventive measures in this branch of industry.

[Rhinitis and asthma related to cotton dust exposure in apprentices in the clothing industry]

OBJECTIVE

Respiratory allergies are the most common occupational diseases in the world. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of rhinitis and asthma among apprentices exposed to cotton dust in the clothing industry and to describe their epidemiologic and clinical profiles.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We carried out a descriptive study of 600 apprentices in a textile and clothing vocational training centre in the Monastir area. The investigation comprised a questionnaire exploring risk factors and symptoms appearing during their training. Subjects who developed allergic respiratory symptoms at the work-place underwent a clinical examination, rhinomanometry and investigation of their allergic status and respiratory function.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty apprentices (20%) developed allergic respiratory reactions due to exposure to textile dust (exclusively cotton) during their training, with a positive withdrawal-re-exposure test. Conjunctivitis (14.3%) and rhinitis (8.5%) were the most frequent allergic symptoms. Twenty eight apprentices (4.6%) presented symptoms of asthma. Rhinitis was associated with asthma in 45% of cases. Two cases of asthma were diagnosed clinically at the work-place following their exposure to textile dust. The prick test performed in 120 symptomatic apprentices was positive in 41.6% of cases. There was sensitization to pollens in 29 cases and to dermatophagoides in 13 cases. Cotton and wool allergy was noted in two cases. Allergic symptoms developing during the training were significantly more frequent in the atopic group, and they varied according to the intensity of textile dust exposure.

CONCLUSION

In the textile and clothing industry the frequency of respiratory disorders caused by allergens remains high, especially in atopic apprentices who constitute a population at high risk.