{
  "abstract": "Objective To describe the socio-professional, clinical and etiological characteristics of occupational allergic rhinitis in Tunisia and to assess its impact on fitness for work.Methods A retrospective descriptive study of cases of occupational allergic rhinitis who consulted an occupational health department, known as a reference in occupational allergology in the northern region of Tunisia, over a period of 25 years.Results The total number of cases was 94. The mean age was 40.4±8.8 years, with a female predominance (sex ratio=0.77). They were mainly skilled (35.1%) or unskilled (58.5%) workers with 13.53±7.24 years‘ professional experience, working in the automotive (23.4%), textile (20.2%) and healthcare (8%) sectors. Our population was non-smokers in 83% of cases and had no extra-professional activities. Family and personal atopy were reported in only 23.4% and 4% of cases respectively. Clinical symptoms were dominated by nasal pruritus (80.9%), rhinorrhoea (71.3%), sneezing (59.6%) and nasal obstruction (31.9%). It appeared on average 8.3±4.3 years after recruitment. The agents responsible were mainly isocyanates (25.5%), textile dusts (14%), moulds (7.4%), flour and cereals (5.3%) and formaldehyde (4.3%). Occupational rhinitis was isolated (76.6%) or associated with asthma (23.4%). Rhinitis was declared as a compensable occupational disease in 33% of cases and justified a modified workstation (65%) or a transfer to another workstation (34%), with a clear post-eviction improvement in 10% of cases and partial improvement in 78.7% of cases.Conclusion Occupational rhinitis affects both employees’ quality of life and their performance at work, which is why it is so important to step up preventive measures and encourage early detection.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Occupational Medicine, University Hospital La Rabta"
      ],
      "name": "Fatma Ezzahra Boujmil"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Occupational Medicine, University Hospital La Rabta"
      ],
      "name": "Nihel Khouja"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Occupational Medicine, University Hospital La Rabta"
      ],
      "name": "Emna Baraketi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Occupational Medicine, University Hospital La Rabta"
      ],
      "name": "Khalil Grissa"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Occupational Medicine, University Hospital La Rabta"
      ],
      "name": "Yasmine Tebourbi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Occupational Medicine, University Hospital La Rabta"
      ],
      "name": "Saloua Ismaïl"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Occupational Medicine, University Hospital La Rabta"
      ],
      "name": "Jihène Hsinet"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Occupational Medicine, University Hospital La Rabta"
      ],
      "name": "Aïda Benzarti"
    }
  ],
  "title": "8292394 Clinical and etiological profile of occupational allergic rhinitis in Tunisia",
  "uid": "80462510-d108-5bf0-82d5-b25920bce397"
}