THE EFFECT OF BIOMASS ON THE ETIOLOGY OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASES AND CHRONIC RHINOSINUSITIS

Introduction: Biomass is widely used for domestic heating and cooking in rural areas. In our research, we aimed at determining the effect of biomass on the development of chronic rhinosinusitis in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Material and method: Eighty-two patients included the study who had been followed by chest diseases department with the diagnosis of COPD between September of 2012 and February 2013. Patients with metabolic, endocrine and malign diseases, nasal anatomic disorder and nasal polyposis were excluded from the study. The classification of the patients was noted as follows: Group 1 who had biomass exposure but not smoke, Group 2 had no biomass exposure but smoke, Group 3 who had both biomass exposure and smoke. The numbers of symptoms and nasal endoscopic findings were compared between the groups. Chronic rhinosinusitis diagnosed with two or more symptoms by adding nasal endoscopic findings. Results: Nasal obstruction, nasal discharge and smell disorders were found as main symptoms and purulent drainage and mucosal edema were the main findings in endoscopic examination. Much more symptoms and endoscopic findings were found in group 3 than other groups. There were statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of symptoms and nasal endoscopic findings. Conclusion: Biomass has been found effective on the etiology of chronic rhinosinusitis, especially among female patients because of long-term time exposure as identified in the etiology of COPD.