Respiratory symptoms in kitchen workers

Introduction A possible association between cooking fumes and respiratory diseases other than cancer has not been studied earlier. Methods All employees at 67 selected kitchens were asked to answer a personal questionnaire regarding the presence of dyspnea, serious dyspnea, cough, and respiratory symptoms in connection with work. The study group consisted of 139 women and 100 men. Results The Prevalence of dyspnea (RR = 4.1 (2.7-6 3)), serious dyspnea (RR = 2.9 (1.5-5.7)), and symptoms in connection with work (RR = 4.3 (2.7-6.7)) were statistically significantly higher for the female kitchen workers compared to the controls. For the men only dyspnea (RR = 1. 8 (1.4-2.3)) and symptoms in connection with work (RR - 2.1 (1.62.7)) showed an increased prevalence. An analysis of possible predictors for respiratory symptoms in connection with work gave an odds ratio of 3.2 (P = 0.000)for "working in a restaurant kitchen." Conclusions The results of the study indicate a relationship between working in kitchens and respiratory symptoms. (C) 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.(dagger).