Sensitization to horse hair, symptoms and lung function in grooms.
Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the rate of occupational sensitization to horse hair in grooms and whether occupational exposure to horse hair increases respiratory and allergic symptoms and affects lung function in grooms or not. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Two hundred grooms were randomly selected among 1000 grooms working in Veliefendi Hippodrome of Istanbul. One hundred and twenty-five subjects agreed to enter the study. Ninety-two workers who worked in the different parts of this hippodrome enrolled as the control group. A detailed questionnaire including respiratory and allergic symptoms was filled in, physical examination, skin prick tests and pulmonary function tests were performed. Results: Sensitization to horse hair was 12.8% in grooms and 4.3% in controls. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.0035). Asthma was found in 14.4% of the grooms and 5.4% of the controls, allergic rhinitis in 42.4% of the grooms and 18.4% of the controls, allergic conjunctivitis in 35.2% of the grooms and 15.2% of the controls, and allergic skin diseases in 32.8% of the grooms and 13% of the controls. The differences were statistically significant (P = 0.043, P = 0.0002, P = 0.001 and P = 0.0008, respectively). The means of FEV1, FEV1/FVC and FVC parameters were significantly lower in the groom group (P = 0.006, P = 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, being in the groom group and working years were found to be predictive factors for impairments of lung function (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively). Conclusions: Occupational exposure to horse increases the sensitization to horse hair, induces asthma and allergic symptoms and also impairs lung functions.
Publication Date: 2002-08-23 PubMed ID: 12190654DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2745.2002.01439.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article investigates the influence of occupational exposure to horse hair on the respiratory health of grooms, indicating that it can cause sensitization, increase the risk of allergic reactions, and impair lung function.
Study Design and Methodology
- The study was cross-sectional in design and specifically looked at the risk of occupational sensitization to horse hair among grooms.
- Two hundred grooms were randomly chosen from a group of 1000 grooms at the Veliefendi Hippodrome in Istanbul for the study. Out of these, 125 agreed to participate.
- Ninety-two workers from different areas of the hippodrome were enrolled as controls for comparison.
- The researchers collected data through a detailed questionnaire covering respiratory and allergic symptoms, physical examinations, skin prick tests, and lung function tests.
Research Findings
- Sensitization to horse hair was found to be significantly higher in grooms (12.8%) compared to controls (4.3%).
- The presence of asthma was also higher in grooms (14.4%) compared to controls (5.4%).
- The researchers found significantly higher rates of allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and allergic skin diseases among grooms compared to the control group.
- Measurements for lung function parameters such as FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and FVC were found to be significantly lower among the grooms, indicating impaired lung functionality.
- Being in the groom group and the number of working years were identified as predictive factors for impairments in lung function.
Conclusions
- This study concludes that grooms who are frequently exposed to horse hair as part of their occupation are at an increased risk of developing sensitization, allergic reactions, and impaired lung function.
- This underlines the need for occupational health safety measures in environments where there is constant exposure to animal hair, to help reduce the risk of such health issues.
Cite This Article
APA
Tutluoglu B, Atiş S, Anakkaya AN, Altug E, Tosun GA, Yaman M.
(2002).
Sensitization to horse hair, symptoms and lung function in grooms.
Clin Exp Allergy, 32(8), 1170-1173.
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2745.2002.01439.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Chest Disease, Cerrahpaşa, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Tukey. bulentt@bilcomer.com.tr
MeSH Terms
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Air Pollutants, Occupational / adverse effects
- Allergens / adverse effects
- Animal Husbandry
- Animals
- Asthma / immunology
- Asthma / physiopathology
- Case-Control Studies
- Conjunctivitis, Allergic / immunology
- Conjunctivitis, Allergic / physiopathology
- Cross-Sectional Studies
- Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / immunology
- Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / physiopathology
- Hair / immunology
- Horses
- Humans
- Hypersensitivity / immunology
- Hypersensitivity / physiopathology
- Lung / physiopathology
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Multivariate Analysis
- Occupational Diseases / immunology
- Occupational Diseases / physiopathology
- Respiratory Function Tests
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / immunology
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / physiopathology
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Sigsgaard T, Basinas I, Doekes G, de Blay F, Folletti I, Heederik D, Lipinska-Ojrzanowska A, Nowak D, Olivieri M, Quirce S, Raulf M, Sastre J, Schlünssen V, Walusiak-Skorupa J, Siracusa A. Respiratory diseases and allergy in farmers working with livestock: a EAACI position paper. Clin Transl Allergy 2020;10:29.
- Baran Ketencioğlu B, Yilmaz I, Tutar N, Gülmez I, Oymak FS. Horse allergen sensitivity and respiratory symptoms among horse farm workers. Turk J Med Sci 2020 Jun 23;50(4):910-916.
- Sheats MK, Davis KU, Poole JA. Comparative Review of Asthma in Farmers and Horses. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2019 Oct 10;19(11):50.
- Dauvillier J, Ter Woort F, van Erck-Westergren E. Fungi in respiratory samples of horses with inflammatory airway disease. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Mar;33(2):968-975.
- Stoleski S, Minov J, Mijakoski D, Karadzinska-Bislimovska J. Chronic Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function in Agricultural Workers - Influence of Exposure Duration and Smoking. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2015 Mar 15;3(1):158-65.
- Saastamoinen M, Särkijärvi S, Hyyppä S. Reducing Respiratory Health Risks to Horses and Workers: A Comparison of Two Stall Bedding Materials. Animals (Basel) 2015 Oct 8;5(4):965-77.
- Gawlik R, Pitsch T, Dubuske L. Anaphylaxis as a manifestation of horse allergy. World Allergy Organ J 2009 Aug;2(8):185-9.
- Liccardi G, Emenius G, Merritt AS, Salzillo A, D'Amato M, D'Amato G. Direct and indirect exposure to horse: risk for sensitization and asthma. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep 2012 Oct;12(5):429-37.
- Wålinder R, Riihimäki M, Bohlin S, Hogstedt C, Nordquist T, Raine A, Pringle J, Elfman L. Installation of mechanical ventilation in a horse stable: effects on air quality and human and equine airways. Environ Health Prev Med 2011 Jul;16(4):264-72.
- Elfman L, Riihimäki M, Pringle J, Wålinder R. Influence of horse stable environment on human airways. J Occup Med Toxicol 2009 May 25;4:10.
- Mazan MR, Svatek J, Maranda L, Christiani D, Ghio A, Nadeau J, Hoffman AM. Questionnaire assessment of airway disease symptoms in equine barn personnel. Occup Med (Lond) 2009 Jun;59(4):220-5.
- Riihimäki M, Raine A, Elfman L, Pringle J. Markers of respiratory inflammation in horses in relation to seasonal changes in air quality in a conventional racing stable. Can J Vet Res 2008 Oct;72(5):432-9.
- Gallagher LM, Crane J, Fitzharris P, Bates MN. Occupational respiratory health of New Zealand horse trainers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2007 Feb;80(4):335-41.
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