Workplace Indirect Cost Impacts of Nasal and Sinus Symptoms and Related Conditions. Issue 8 (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kuiper, Jordan R.; Hirsch, Annemarie G.; Bandeen-Roche, Karen; Sundaresan, Agnes S.; Tan, Bruce K.; Kern, Robert C.; Schleimer, Robert P.; Schwartz, Brian S.
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 61:Issue 8(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: ENT -- epidemiology -- productivity -- symptoms -- workplace; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001636
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: Evaluate associations of nasal and sinus and related symptoms, as well as selected health conditions which produce those symptoms, with total lost productive time (LPT) at work in the past 2 weeks. Methods: We used a cross-sectional analysis of 2402 currently working subjects. Self-reported physician diagnoses, condition statuses measured with standardized instruments, and symptom-based factor scores from an exploratory factor analysis were used in survey weighted log-binomial regression. Results: Pain and pressure, nasal blockage and discharge, and asthma and constitutional symptom factor scores as well as self-reported allergic rhinitis were associated with higher total LPT. Individuals who met operationalized criteria for multiple health conditions, especially chronic rhinosinusitis, had the greatest total LPT. Conclusions: Better management of these symptoms, and awareness of how they impact an individual's ability to perform job-functions in the workplace, could improve overall productivity. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text