title: Environmental risk factors and gender in nasal polyposis.
abstract: The aetiology of nasal polyps remains obscure. Although clinically associated with asthma, notably in women, there is a marked male preponderance of polyposis. This study aimed to explore environmental pollutant triggers and gender differences in risk factors for nasal polyps. In total, 900 patients having surgery for polyposis and 120 new patients with nasal polyps completed a questionnaire with regard to occupational dust and chemical exposure. The male to female ratio was 2:1, and 52% were smokers, although only 37% of women smoked compared with 66% of men. Exposure to occupational dusts and chemicals was noted in 45% (retrospective) and 53% (prospective) of respondents. Women were 1.6 times more likely to be asthmatic and 2.7 times more likely to have allergic rhinitis than men. Men were 2.25 times more likely to be smokers and 2.48 times more likely to have been exposed to chemicals and dusts than women (all statistically significant differences). No significant gender associations were found for hayfever, eczema, aspirin intolerance, alcohol intake or hobby dust exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Freeman Hospital, High Heaton, Newcastle, UK. melaniemcollins@hotmail.com
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Y-T
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Loughran
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000209:etiology; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust