Occupational asthma and irritant symptoms among endoscopy nurses exposed to glutaraldehyde

ABSTRACT

This cross-sectional study was done to investigate the nature and prevalence of respiratory and irritant symptoms experienced by a sample of hospital endoscopy nurses exposed to glutaraldehyde [GA] and whether they develop occupational asthma under current working conditions in endoscopy units. It included 30 exposed endoscopy nurses and 30 nurses not exposed to GA as a control group. The results showed a high prevalence of lower respiratory tract [L.R.T.] symptoms followed by work related symptoms [WRS's] of dermatitis then WRS's of nasal and eye irritation. Also, there were significant differences between both groups as regards these symptoms. There were significant differences between exposed and non-exposed groups in the mean values of FVC%P., FEV1%P and FEF25-75%P. Moreover, the ventilatory function parameters among the exposed group, were significantly lower in workers complaining from WRS's of L.R.T. Also, negative correlation was found between the duration of exposure and the ventilatory function parameters. Occupational peak flow diaries completed by exposed workers with WRS's of the L.R.T. showed six cases of bronchial asthma [20%]. There was no significant difference between exposed and non-exposed groups as regards non-specific IgE. Thus, it was obvious from this study that GA induces irritant effect on the upper and lower respiratory tract, skin and eyes. Also, it confirms that GA asthma does exist