Prevalence and Risk Factors of Work-Related Asthma in Hospital Cleaning Workers


Ecin S. M., Sandal A., Çetintepe S. P., Koyuncu A., Kurt Ö. K., YILDIZ A. N., ...Daha Fazla

Turkish Thoracic Journal, cilt.23, sa.3, ss.203-209, 2022 (Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 23 Sayı: 3
  • Basım Tarihi: 2022
  • Doi Numarası: 10.5152/turkthoracj.2022.21183
  • Dergi Adı: Turkish Thoracic Journal
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.203-209
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Occupational asthma, work-aggravated asthma, asthma, cleaning product, cleaning workers, cleaners
  • Hacettepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

© Author(s).OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and evaluate the risk factors of work-related asthma among professional hospital cleaning workers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In total, 278 cleaning workers were interviewed (response rate: 75.7%), and pulmonary function tests were performed. The presence of asthma and its work-relatedness was evaluated. Serial peak expiratory flow measurements were planned according to symptoms increased at work or spirometric findings. RESULTS: Totally 40 cleaning workers had asthma (14.3%); of these, 17 (6.1%) had work-related asthma, and 23 (8.2%) had non-work-related asthma. Non-work-related asthma and work-related asthma were significantly associated with the females(odds ratio 95% CI: 3.0, 1.1-8.4, and 3.2, 1.0-10.3, respectively). Non-work-related asthma was significantly associated with a family history of asthma (odds ratio 95%CI: 5.1, 2.0-13.2 and 2.8, 0.99-7.9, respectively) and limescale remover use at work (odds ratio, 95% CI: 0.21, 0.04-0.97, and 1.7, 0.5-5.2, respectively). Only 7 (28.0%) of 25 cleaning workers who were suggested serial peak expiratory flow measurements could complete the measurements. Of those, measurements of 2 cleaning workers were consistent with occupational asthma. CONCLUSION: The negative association between limescale remover use at work and non-work-related asthma suggested health selec-tion bias (avoidance behavior) due to the asthmatic effects of these chemicals.