Relationship between overweight, obesity and the severity of nasal obstruction in occupational rhinitis

Abstract

Background: Occupational rhinitis is a frequent respiratory pathology. Severity risk factors are often linked to working conditions. However, several other factors and pathologies can be incriminated.

Aim: To study the relationship between overweight, obesity and the severity of nasal obstruction in occupational rhinitis.

Methods: This is a descriptive, cros-sectional study including all patients who had consulted in the occupational medicine department at the Farhat Hached CHU in Sousse (Tunisia) for occupational rhinitis between 2011 and 2016. The assessment of the severity of the nasal obstruction was made by the PAREO score and rhinomanometry. The assessment of excess weight was made according to WHO recommendations and by calculating the body mass index (BMI).

Results: The population included 163 cases of occupational rhinitis with a mean age of 39 ± 7.5 years with a clear female predominance (68.1%). The most represented sector of activity was the textile sector (52.8%) with a professional seniority of 15 +/- 8.3 years. The mean BMI was 28.2 ± 4.5. Overweight and obesity were reported in 75.5% of cases. Rhinitis was severe in 28.8%. A significant association between the PAREO score and obesity was reported (r = 0.354, p <10-3). However, no association was found between being overweight (overweight and obese) and the severity of nasal obstruction measured by rhinomnometry.

Conclusion: Obesity can have harmful consequences in the aggravation of occupational allergic pathologies, especially rhinitis. Our results confirm these findings and justify further studies to establish the mechanism of action of overweight on the severity of rhinitis.