The relationship between chronic rhinosinusitis and occupation: The 1998, 2001, and 2005 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES)

Objectives We examined the relationship between chronic rhinosinusitis and occupation. Methods We analyzed data from the 1998, 2001, and 2005 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Men and women aged 20-59 who participated in the three KNHANES were included to analyze the relationship between chronic rhinosinusitis and occupation. Trained interviewers visited subjects' homes and administered a standardized questionnaire on diagnosed diseases. Subjects were asked if they had experienced chronic rhinosinusitis during the previous year or had had rhinosinusitis for three or more consecutive months. Occupational classification followed the major groups of the Korean Standard Classification of Occupations (KSCO). We calculated the prevalence ratios (PRs) of chronic rhinosinusitis by major groups compared with clerical workers in the three KNHANES. Poisson regression with robust standard error was conducted, adjusting for age in 10-year strata. Results There were significantly increased PRs of chronic rhinosinusitis in plant and machinery operators and assemblers, elementary occupations, crafts and related trade workers, and the unemployed. Conclusions These results support the relationship between chronic rhinosinusitis and occupational exposure at the macro level.