TY - JOUR T1 - Role of occupational exposure on the outcome of sinus surgery: An observational study JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 38 IS - Suppl 55 SP - 1905 AU - Valerie Hox AU - Stefan Delrue AU - Hans Scheers AU - Els Adams AU - Stephan Keirsbilck AU - Mark Jorissen AU - Peter Hoet AU - Jeroen Vanoirbeek AU - Benoit Nemery AU - Peter Hellings Y1 - 2011/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/1905.abstract N2 - Background: Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is performed in patients with recurrent acute or chronic rhinosinusitis, insufficiently controlled by medical treatment. Several endogenous and exogenous factors may be responsible for failure of FESS with persisting symptoms. The association between occupational exposure and failure of FESS is not known.Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the exposure to occupational agents in patients undergoing FESS and to relate the exposure to the number of FESS procedures needed to control symptoms.Methods: Questionnaires were sent to 890 patients who had undergone one ore more FESS procedures and to 182 control subjects. Besides general medical health questions, the questionnaire asked about professional and recreational activities and exposure levels to high and low molecular weight (HMW and LMW) occupational agents. Exposure was assessed as a binary variable. A chi-square test was used to investigate the relationship between number of FESS and exposure state. Odds ratios were calculated by a Proportional Odds Model.Results: Occupational exposure was reported in 11.6% of the controls (n=69) and in 24.6% of FESS patients (n=467). There is a significant relationship between increasing FESS and occupational exposure (chi=12.74, p<0.001). Exposed patients had a higher risk for needing at least 1 (OR=2.45, p<0.05) or at least 2 (OR=1.63, p<0.05) FESS procedures compared to unexposed ones. Mainly LMW agents were reported as occupational substances.Conclusions: Exposure to occupational agents is associated with higher risk of failure after primary FESS, and hence underlines the importance of occupational exposure in the postoperative healing. ER -