Occupational rhinitis (OR) and occupational asthma (OA) are closely associated and share aetiological agents. Although the prevalence and determiants of OA have been widely studied, the epidemiology of OR has been investigated less, mainly because it is not considered such a serious disease. Additionally, there is no standardized approach to diagnosing OR. Several determinants of OR (such as incidence, pervalence, natural history and pathogenic mechanisms) are not well understood, and the morbidity burden of OR on workers remains unknown. However, several surveys of workforces exposed to sensitizing agents indicate that OR is two to four times more common than OA.
This review covers new developments on the diagnosis, monitoring, management, and socio-economic impact, preventive strategies and medicolegal issues. We most emphasize that OR will develop OA. It is a particularly important point as an accurate and early recognition of OR in surveillance programs is not only important per se, but also useful in the prevention and early diagnosis of OA.
