Background: Chronic respiratory diseases lead to co-morbid conditions, including osteoporosis, that impact quality of life and healthcare expense. Environmental exposures are risk factors for the development and severity of chronic respiratory diseases. We evaluated the relationship between the environmental exposures of agriculture and nutrition and respiratory health in postmenopausal women to better understand how these relationships might influence postmenopausal wellness.
Methods: A cross-sectional, sub-study of participants of the Heartland Osteoporosis Prevention Study was conducted whereby mailer questionnaires that included information on agriculture exposures, second-hand smoke exposure, nutritional intake, and respiratory health were distributed and collected. Smoking history is currently being collected through email questionnaires or by phone. Descriptive data and trends were analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: 232 female participants provided the information requested by mail. Over 20% of the participants endorsed significant agriculture exposure defined as greater than or equal to 2 years. Their agriculture exposure occurred predominately during youth and young adulthood. Exposures included both livestock and crops, with the most common exposures being corn, soybeans, and beef cattle. In addition, 55% reported significant second-hand smoke exposure during youth (greater than or equal to 2 years). More than half (53%) reported at least one chronic respiratory disease, which included allergic rhino-conjunctivitis (45%), sinusitis (10%), asthma (6%), chronic obstructive airway disease (COPD) (2%), and pneumonia (14%). Cross analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between agriculture exposure and upper airway disease (allergic rhino-conjunctivitis alone [p=0.048] and combined allergic rhino-conjunctivitis and sinusitis [p=0.038]). This relationship was strengthened by correcting for second hand smoke exposure. The relationship between agriculture exposure and asthma, COPD, and pneumonia were not significant.
Conclusions: Agriculture and second-hand smoke were common early life exposures in post-menopausal women of the Heartland Osteoporosis cohort. There is a significant relationship between agriculture exposure and upper airway disease. This suggests that exposure to crops and livestock in childhood and young adulthood influences the development of allergic rhino-conjunctivitis and sinusitis. Future analysis will focus on the relationship between nutritional exposures and respiratory diseases, and how environmental exposures might influence bone health.