Lifetime allergic rhinitis prevalence among US primary farm operators: findings from the 2011 Farm and Ranch Safety survey.
OBJECTIVE
Allergic rhinitis is associated with decreased quality of life, and reduced workplace performance and productivity. This study investigated the prevalence of lifetime allergic rhinitis and factors associated with allergic rhinitis among US primary farm operators.


METHODS
The 2011 Farm and Ranch Safety Survey data collected from 11,210 active farm operators were analyzed. Survey respondents were determined to have lifetime allergic rhinitis based on a "yes" response to the question: "Have you ever been told by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional that you had hay fever, seasonal allergies, or allergic rhinitis?" Data were weighted to produce nationally representative estimates.


RESULTS
An estimated 30.8% of the 2.1 million active farm operators had lifetime allergic rhinitis in 2011. The allergic rhinitis prevalence varied by demographic and farm characteristics. Farm operators with allergic rhinitis were 1.38 (95% CI 1.22-1.56) times more likely to be exposed to pesticides compared with operators with no allergic rhinitis. The association with pesticide exposure for allergic rhinitis and current asthma, and allergic rhinitis alone was statistically significant and greater than that for current asthma alone.


CONCLUSIONS
Certain groups of farm operators may be at increased risk of allergic rhinitis. Studies should further investigate the association of allergic rhinitis with specific pesticide exposure.
Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop HG 900.2, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA. JMazurek1@cdc.gov.
Jacek M
JM
Mazurek
Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mailstop HG 900.2, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA.
Paul K
PK
Henneberger
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D000067565:Farmers; D000072480:Farms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009314:National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S.; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects; D015995:Prevalence; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D010575:Pesticides
Agriculture; Allergic rhinitis; Asthma; Farming; Occupational exposure; Pesticide; Surveys and questionnaire