Workplace Indirect Cost Impacts of Nasal and Sinus Symptoms and Related Conditions

Jordan R. Kuiper*, Annemarie G. Hirsch, Karen Bandeen-Roche, Agnes S. Sundaresan, Bruce K. Tan, Robert C. Kern, Robert P. Schleimer, Brian S. Schwartz

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Evaluate associations of nasal and sinus and related symptoms, as well as selected health conditions which produce those symptoms, with total lost productive time (LPT) at work in the past 2 weeks.Methods:We used a cross-sectional analysis of 2402 currently working subjects. Self-reported physician diagnoses, condition statuses measured with standardized instruments, and symptom-based factor scores from an exploratory factor analysis were used in survey weighted log-binomial regression.Results:Pain and pressure, nasal blockage and discharge, and asthma and constitutional symptom factor scores as well as self-reported allergic rhinitis were associated with higher total LPT. Individuals who met operationalized criteria for multiple health conditions, especially chronic rhinosinusitis, had the greatest total LPT.Conclusions:Better management of these symptoms, and awareness of how they impact an individual's ability to perform job-functions in the workplace, could improve overall productivity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)E333-E339
JournalJournal of occupational and environmental medicine
Volume61
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2019

Keywords

  • ENT
  • epidemiology
  • productivity
  • symptoms
  • workplace

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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