@article {de F{\'a}tima Ma{\c c}{\~a}ira446, author = {Elayne de F{\'a}tima Ma{\c c}{\~a}ira and Eduardo Algranti and Elizabete Medina Coeli Mendon{\c c}a and Marco Ant{\^o}nio Bussacos}, title = {Rhinitis and asthma symptoms in non-domestic cleaners from the S{\~a}o Paulo metropolitan area, Brazil}, volume = {64}, number = {7}, pages = {446--453}, year = {2007}, doi = {10.1136/oem.2006.032094}, publisher = {BMJ Publishing Group Ltd}, abstract = {Background: Exposure to cleaning products has frequently been reported as a symptom trigger by workers with work-related asthma diagnosed in workers{\textquoteright} health clinics in the city of S{\~a}o Paulo, Brazil. Objectives: To estimate rhinitis and asthma symptoms prevalence and to analyse associated risk factors. Method: A respiratory symptoms questionnaire (Medical Research Council 1976) and the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire were applied to 341 cleaners working in the city of S{\~a}o Paulo, along with obtaining full occupational histories, skin prick tests and spirometry. Timing their symptoms onset in relation to occupational history allowed estimation of work-related asthma and/or rhinitis. Risk factors related to selected outcomes were analysed by logistic regression. Results: 11\% and 35\% of the cleaners had asthma and rhinitis, respectively. The risk of work-related asthma/rhinitis increased with years of employment in non-domestic cleaning (OR 1.09, 95\% CI 1.00 to 1.18, \>0.92{\textendash}3 years; OR 1.28, 95\% CI 1.01 to 1.63, \>3{\textendash}6.5 years; OR 1.71, 95\% CI 1.02 to 2.89, \>6.5 years). Atopy was associated with asthma and rhinitis (OR 2.91, 95\% CI 1.36 to 6.71; OR 2.06, 95\% CI 1.28 to 3.35, respectively). There was a higher risk of rhinitis in women (OR 2.07, 95\% CI 1.20 to 3.70). Conclusions: Cleaning workers are at risk of contracting work-related asthma and/or rhinitis, and the risk increases with years of employment in non-domestic cleaning. Women present higher risk of rhinitis than men.}, issn = {1351-0711}, URL = {https://oem.bmj.com/content/64/7/446}, eprint = {https://oem.bmj.com/content/64/7/446.full.pdf}, journal = {Occupational and Environmental Medicine} }