occ.rhinitis,damp mouldy workplaces

[Guest guest]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18954502

(what exactly are they saying with this statement?

Association between the IgE sensitization to molds and exposure level was

statistically significant)

Am J Rhinol. 2008 Sep-Oct;22(5):457-62.

Occupational rhinitis in damp and moldy workplaces.

Karvala K, Nordman H, Luukkonen R, Nykyri E, Lappalainen S, Hannu T, Toskala E.

Occupational Medicine Team, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki,

Finland. kirsi.karvala@...

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies confirm the association between exposure to indoor

air dampness and molds and different health outcomes. Of these, upper

respiratory tract problems are the most commonly reported work-related symptoms

in damp indoor environments. The aim of this study was to describe a clinically

investigated patient series with occupational rhinitis induced by molds.

METHODS: Nasal provocation test (NPT) with commercial fungal allergens was

performed in 369 patients during 1995-2004 at the Finnish Institute of

Occupational Health. Of these, 60 (16%) were positive. In addition to positive

NPT, the diagnosis of occupational rhinitis was based on verified exposure to

molds, work-related nasal symptoms, and clinical investigations. We wanted to

review the patient files of these 60 patients retrospectively, and 56 patients

gave their informed consent.

RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 43.7 years (SD +/- 9.5). Fifty (89.3%)

patients were women. In 23% of the patients, IgE-mediated allergy to molds could

be established. Atopy significantly increased IgE sensitization to molds (OR,

10.3 [95% CI, 2.0-52.5]). The most common mold to induce occupational rhinitis

was Aspergillus fumigatus. Exposure time was over 5 years in 63% of the

patients. Association between the IgE sensitization to molds and exposure level

was statistically significant (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.046).

CONCLUSION: This is the first clinically investigated series on occupational

rhinitis in relation to a moldy environment. Based on our findings, we conclude

that molds growing in conjunction with moisture damages can induce occupational

rhinitis. IgE-mediated allergy to molds was not common. Atopy and significant

exposure level increased IgE sensitization to molds. zri00508.

PMID: 18954502 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]