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KMID : 0854720070270010043
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Korean Journal of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology
2007 Volume.27 No. 1 p.43 ~ p.49
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Prevalence of Asthma-like Symptoms and Allergic Rhinitis in Subway Workers in Seoul, Korea
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Chun Eun-Mi
Cho Young-Joo
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Abstract
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Background: Occupational asthma has become the most common form of occupational lung diseases. The subway is the transport vehicle that many people use daily, but subway pollution is more severe than road vehicle traffic pollution. There have been few reports concerning the prevalence and risk factors of bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis in subway workers in Seoul, Korea.
Objective: A cross-sectional survey was performed from October 2004 to December 2004 to evaluate prevalence and risk factors of work-related asthma-like symptoms such as work-related wheezing, postexercise dyspnea, and nocturnal cough and allergic rhinitis in subway workers in Seoul, Korea.
Methods: A total of 1,477 subway workers filled in questionnaires about asthma and rhinitis based on the GINA guidelines. They also underwent skin prick tests for two common house dust mites and pulmonary function tests.
Results: The prevalence of asthma-like symptoms (mostcommon symptom: wheezing in the chest) and allergic rhinitis, based on the skin prick tests with rhinitis symptoms, were 9.1% and 9.5%, respectively. Based on the questionnaire survey, asthma was higher in obese persons (P<0.05), [OR=1.06 (95% CI: 1.01~1.12)], current smokers (P<0.01), [OR=2.61 (95% CI: 1.67~4.07)] and allergic rhinitis (P<0.05), [OR=2.99 (95% CI: 1.07~8.34)], but age and the length of their service in the subway were not risk factors of developing asthma-like symptoms and allergic rhinitis.
Conclusion: The prevalence of asthma-like symptoms in subway workers was higher in obese persons, current smokers, and allergic rhinitis, but age and the length of their service in the subway were not risk factors. The length of their service and smoking state were not related to the development of allergic rhinitis in subway workers in Seoul, Korea.
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KEYWORD
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Bronchial asthma, Rhinitis, Subway, Prevalence
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