The impact of outdoor pollution on upper respiratory diseases

We evaluated the prevalence of upper airway diseases among two groups living in areas with different pollution levels. The study was conducted among highschool students living in Bayrampasa (an area polluted by SO2 and total suspended particulates) and Beykoz (an unpolluted residential area) in Istanbul (n = 386). Each subject filled out a standardized zelf-administered questionnaire. Also, anterior active rhinomanometry was performed to objectively evaluate the symptoms in all students. A significantly higher prevalence rate for rhinitis was found in Bayrampaşa, as compared to Beykoz. However, the prevalence rate for pharyngitis was not significantly different between both groups. Smoking was more frequent in the unpolluted area. Exposure to parental smoking in childhood and heating systems in houses were evenly distributed. Household crowding was lower in Beykoz. Rhinomanometric measurements did not show any significant difference between both groups. Multiple logistic regression models estimating the role of each risk factor independently, showed a significant odds ratio associated with residence in Bayrampasa for rhinitis (OR: 2.0; 95% CI: 3.0-1.3). In conclusion, this study indicates that outdoor pollution has adverse effects on the degree of upper airway diseases in Istanbul in the 1990s.