Prevalence of Occupational Rhinitis in a Thai Medical Statistics Department
Girapong Ungkhara MD1 , Patcharamanee Wangchalabovorn MD1, Phusit Rungruinng MD2
Affiliation : 1 Faculty of medicine Vajira Hospital, Navamindradhiraj University, Bangkok, Thailand 2 Saraburi General Hospital, Thailand
Objective : To study the prevalence of occupational rhinitis [OR] among staffs in medical statistics department in the
institution. The type of OR was also determined.
Materials and Methods : A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in the medical statistics department in the
authors’ institution which is an urban teaching hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. The prevalence of OR was determined by using
occupational rhinitis questionnaire and rhinitis symptoms visual analogue scale. Skin prick test was performed to demonstrate
allergic response to specific allergens in volunteers who had symptoms of rhinitis.
Results : The prevalence of OR among staff in medical statistics department was 41.5% (17/41). The OR were classified as
occupational allergic rhinitis 47.1% (8/17) and occupational non-allergic rhinitis 52.9% (9/17). Among occupational allergic
rhinitis group, Dermatophagoides farinae (87.5%), house dust mite (37.5%), American cockroach (25%) and Dermatophagoides
pteronyssinus (25%) were found to be common allergens. Dust (100%), low humidity/dry air (88.9%), rapid change of
temperature (66.7%) and smoking (66.7%) were the most common environmental exposure in occupational non-allergic
rhinitis group.
Conclusion : One third of medical statistic officer in one Thai university hospital had occupational rhinitis which nearly half
and slightly over half were allergic and non-allergic rhinitis respectively.
Keywords : Occupational rhinitis, prevalence, skin prick test
