Chronic bronchitis and pesticide exposure: a case-control study in Lebanon.
OBJECTIVE
Pesticides are widely used toxics. The objective of the study is to evaluate the odds of exposure to pesticides in chronic bronchitis patients.


METHODS
Using the American Thoracic Society standardized questionnaire confirmed by medical diagnosis of chronic bronchitis, a case-control study was performed in Lebanon. Pesticide exposure was estimated and between groups comparison was made.


RESULTS
The study involved 262 controls and 110 chronic bronchitis outpatient subjects from 10 medical centers. Any exposure to pesticides was associated to chronic bronchitis (OR = 2.46 [1.53-3.94]; p < 10(-4)). Occupational use presented the highest association (15.92 [3.50-72.41]; p < 10(-4)), followed by regional exposure (3.70 [2.05-6.70]; p < 10(-4)). Results were confirmed by multivariate and subgroup analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Pesticide exposure was associated with chronic bronchitis in Lebanese adults. Pesticides toxicological effects may explain chronic respiratory effects associations found with all exposure types.
Salameh
Pascale R
PR
Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon. pascalesalameh@yahoo.com
Waked
Mirna
M
Baldi
Isabelle
I
Brochard
Patrick
P
Saleh
Bernadette Abi
BA
D000328:Adult; D029481:Bronchitis, Chronic / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000633:toxicity*
D010575:Pesticides