Long-term exposure and health-related quality of life among patients with occupational rhinitis.

Objective: This article evaluates health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among patients with occupational rhinitis (OR), with an average of 10 years after diagnosis.

Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire with general (RAND-36) and disease-specific (Rhinasthma) HRQoL questions was completed by 119 OR patients and 173 controls of the same age and locality. In addition, the patients compared their estimation of current occupational exposure level with that at the time of OR diagnosis.

Results: HRQoL was impaired among patients with continuing occupational allergen exposure in all Rhinasthma and several RAND-36 scores. The HRQoL among patients no longer exposed was mainly similar to that of the healthy controls.

Conclusions: Among OR patients, continuous occupational exposure decreases QoL years after the diagnosis. To restore the well being of patients with OR, medication only is not sufficient; reduction or cessation of exposure is necessary.