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Prevalence of Asthma in a Large Cohort of Pet Groomers
Description
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A1942 - Prevalence of Asthma in a Large Cohort of Pet Groomers
Author Block: V. Sharma1, C. Pu2, W. Clapp3; 1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, John H Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL, United States, 2Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, SUNY Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States, 3John H Stroger Hosp of Cook County, Chicago, IL, United States.
Introduction/Rationale
Respiratory irritants borne of environmental exposures may cause a chronic cough by way of hypersensitivity or allergic pathways leading to hypersensitivity pneumonitis, nonallergic rhinitis, bronchitis or asthma respectively. Several novel occupational exposures associated with chronic cough have been reported in the past few years. Pet groomers may be exposed to a unique mix of particulate, gaseous and infectious asthmagens and tussogens many of which individually been associated with allergic sensitization or asthma. The prevalence of asthma and allergy type symptoms in this occupation group is unknown.
Methods
An internet based Google forms driven survey was devised based on the NHANES survey questionnaires that assess for the prevalence of asthma and allergy type symptoms. Survey also asked basic questions about environmental controls in place to prevent exposures. A link to the survey was posted on Facebook groups in the United States, Australia and Europe with requests to disseminate Survey after obtaining permission from group administrators. The Survey link was also posted on Pet Groomer forums found using a customized Google search.
Results
2097 unique responses were obtained, most (79%) were from the United States, the rest from Europe and Australia. 98% of respondents were women (n=2065), ~ 82 % (n= 1750) were below the age of 45 years, the majority (78%) worked full time and 73% had been grooming for at least 5 years with 78% grooming at least 5 animals a day. 58% of respondents had less than a college level education and 34% had a college degree or more. 76% of respondents were non-smokers. 68% did not use a mask (1419/2097). 45% reported no ventilation system in the workplace. 28% reported having been told they have asthma, 20% reported that they still had asthma, with 51% reporting wheezing or whistling in the chest in the past 12 months. 62% reported allergic symptoms and wheezing brought on by the work environment.
Conclusions
Pet groomers are mostly young non-smoking women with high self-reported complaints of asthma and allergy type symptoms including wheezing exacerbated by the workplace. Self-reported rates of asthma were 3 times higher than in the general population. Administrative and environmental controls as well as equipment to protect against inhalational exposures should be implemented as soon as feasible.
Author Block: V. Sharma1, C. Pu2, W. Clapp3; 1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, John H Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, IL, United States, 2Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, SUNY Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States, 3John H Stroger Hosp of Cook County, Chicago, IL, United States.
Introduction/Rationale
Respiratory irritants borne of environmental exposures may cause a chronic cough by way of hypersensitivity or allergic pathways leading to hypersensitivity pneumonitis, nonallergic rhinitis, bronchitis or asthma respectively. Several novel occupational exposures associated with chronic cough have been reported in the past few years. Pet groomers may be exposed to a unique mix of particulate, gaseous and infectious asthmagens and tussogens many of which individually been associated with allergic sensitization or asthma. The prevalence of asthma and allergy type symptoms in this occupation group is unknown.
Methods
An internet based Google forms driven survey was devised based on the NHANES survey questionnaires that assess for the prevalence of asthma and allergy type symptoms. Survey also asked basic questions about environmental controls in place to prevent exposures. A link to the survey was posted on Facebook groups in the United States, Australia and Europe with requests to disseminate Survey after obtaining permission from group administrators. The Survey link was also posted on Pet Groomer forums found using a customized Google search.
Results
2097 unique responses were obtained, most (79%) were from the United States, the rest from Europe and Australia. 98% of respondents were women (n=2065), ~ 82 % (n= 1750) were below the age of 45 years, the majority (78%) worked full time and 73% had been grooming for at least 5 years with 78% grooming at least 5 animals a day. 58% of respondents had less than a college level education and 34% had a college degree or more. 76% of respondents were non-smokers. 68% did not use a mask (1419/2097). 45% reported no ventilation system in the workplace. 28% reported having been told they have asthma, 20% reported that they still had asthma, with 51% reporting wheezing or whistling in the chest in the past 12 months. 62% reported allergic symptoms and wheezing brought on by the work environment.
Conclusions
Pet groomers are mostly young non-smoking women with high self-reported complaints of asthma and allergy type symptoms including wheezing exacerbated by the workplace. Self-reported rates of asthma were 3 times higher than in the general population. Administrative and environmental controls as well as equipment to protect against inhalational exposures should be implemented as soon as feasible.
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