Objective: Pesticides are widely used toxics. The objective of the study is to evaluate the odds of exposure to pesticides in chronic bronchitis patients.
Methods: Using the American Thoracic Society standardized questionnaire confirmed by medical diagnosis of chronic bronchitis, a case-control study was performed in Lebanon. Pesticide exposure was estimated and between groups comparison was made.
Results: The study involved 262 controls and 110 chronic bronchitis outpatient subjects from 10 medical centers. Any exposure to pesticides was associated to chronic bronchitis (OR = 2.46 [1.53-3.94]; p < 10(-4)). Occupational use presented the highest association (15.92 [3.50-72.41]; p < 10(-4)), followed by regional exposure (3.70 [2.05-6.70]; p < 10(-4)). Results were confirmed by multivariate and subgroup analysis.
Conclusion: Pesticide exposure was associated with chronic bronchitis in Lebanese adults. Pesticides toxicological effects may explain chronic respiratory effects associations found with all exposure types.