title: Work-related respiratory symptoms and airway disease in hairdressers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hairdressers are occupationally exposed to a number of agents in their workplace that result in respiratory symptoms and changes in pulmonary function.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate associations between occupational exposure and respiratory function and reported symptoms in a group of hairdressers compared to a control group.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire on respiratory symptoms and workplace characteristics was completed by 94 hairdressers and 39 age- and sex-matched controls. Spirometry and exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurements were also performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hairdressers reported more severe dyspnea (p=0.03) and eye (p=0.001) and throat (p=0.007) irritation, compared to the control group, at the workplace; no differences were noted at home. Lower FEV1/FVC (p<0.001) and higher FeNO values (p=0.012) were observed in hairdressers. A larger working area and presence of window ventilation were associated with better pulmonary function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Worsening of symptoms and pulmonary function at workplace, and alleviating the symptoms at home, indicate that they may be related to occupational exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Medical School, University of Thessaly, University Hospital of Larissa, Larissa, Biopolis 41110, Greece. georgiaskoufi@yahoo.gr
authors.forename: G I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Skoufi
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nena
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kostikas
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Lialios
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Constantinidis
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Daniil
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gourgoulianis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects; D001461:Barbering; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D019570:Inhalation Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014797:Vital Capacity; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide