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  • Title: Association of allergic rhinitis with pesticide use among grape farmers in Crete, Greece.
    Author: Chatzi L, Alegakis A, Tzanakis N, Siafakas N, Kogevinas M, Lionis C.
    Journal: Occup Environ Med; 2007 Jun; 64(6):417-21. PubMed ID: 17182637.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: To explore the association of allergic rhinitis with the use of pesticides among grape farmers in Crete. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 120 grape farmers and 100 controls at the Malevisi region in Northern Crete was conducted. The protocol consisted of a questionnaire, skin prick tests for 16 common allergens, measurement of specific IgE antibodies against 8 allergens, and spirometry before and after bronchodilatation. RESULTS: Grape farmers who used pesticides had higher prevalence rates of allergic rhinitis symptoms (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.4 to 6.2) compared with grape farmers who reported no current use of pesticides, and control subjects. Logistic regression models controlling for age, sex and smoking status showed that 6 of the 12 predefined groups of major pesticides were significantly related to allergic rhinitis symptoms. The highest risks were observed for paraquat and other bipyridyl herbicides (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.0 to 4.8), dithiocarbamate fungicides (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.1 to 5.3) and carbamate insecticides (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.4 to 6.5). A factor analysis of pesticides used identified 3 distinct factors. The most common factor was that of multiple pesticide use that included 9 pesticides and was significantly associated with allergic rhinitis (OR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.0 to 2.3). ORs were higher when allergic rhinitis was defined using both questionnaire data on symptoms and atopy. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational exposure to multiple agricultural chemicals could be related to allergic rhinitis in grape farmers.
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