P D Blanc1, M D Eisner, L Israel, E H Yelin. 1. Department of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, 94143-0924, USA. blancp@itsa.ucsf.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In general practice settings, the proportion of adult asthma attributable to occupational factors is not known. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to estimate the proportion of adult asthma cases that can be attributed to occupational factors initiating new disease onset and exacerbating preexisting disease. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of interview data for 150 adults with asthma recruited from a random sample of family practice specialists. We ascertained the asthma and work histories of the subjects and estimated the proportion with likely work-initiated asthma and work-related asthma recrudescence. RESULTS: Seventy-four subjects (49%) reported adult-onset asthma while employed; an additional 25 (17%) reported recrudescence of previously quiescent childhood-onset asthma during employment. Of those with new-onset asthma while employed, 15 (10% of the study group; 95% confidence interval, 5 to 15%) were employed in occupations at increased risk of occupational asthma initiation on the basis of an independent job scoring matrix. Of those with asthma recrudescence in adulthood, seven (5% of the study group; 95% confidence interval, 2 to 8%) were employed in occupations at increased risk of exposures aggravating asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Among adults with asthma treated in general practice settings, > 1 in 10 patients has a work history strongly suggestive of a potential relationship between exposure and disease.
BACKGROUND: In general practice settings, the proportion of adult asthma attributable to occupational factors is not known. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to estimate the proportion of adult asthma cases that can be attributed to occupational factors initiating new disease onset and exacerbating preexisting disease. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of interview data for 150 adults with asthma recruited from a random sample of family practice specialists. We ascertained the asthma and work histories of the subjects and estimated the proportion with likely work-initiated asthma and work-related asthma recrudescence. RESULTS: Seventy-four subjects (49%) reported adult-onset asthma while employed; an additional 25 (17%) reported recrudescence of previously quiescent childhood-onset asthma during employment. Of those with new-onset asthma while employed, 15 (10% of the study group; 95% confidence interval, 5 to 15%) were employed in occupations at increased risk of occupational asthma initiation on the basis of an independent job scoring matrix. Of those with asthma recrudescence in adulthood, seven (5% of the study group; 95% confidence interval, 2 to 8%) were employed in occupations at increased risk of exposures aggravating asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Among adults with asthma treated in general practice settings, > 1 in 10 patients has a work history strongly suggestive of a potential relationship between exposure and disease.
Authors: C Archea; I H Yen; H Chen; M D Eisner; P P Katz; U Masharani; E H Yelin; G Earnest; P D Blanc Journal: Thorax Date: 2006-08-23 Impact factor: 9.139
Authors: P J Quinlan; G Earnest; M D Eisner; E H Yelin; P P Katz; J R Balmes; P D Blanc Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2008-09-19 Impact factor: 4.402
Authors: Laura Trupin; Patricia P Katz; John R Balmes; Hubert Chen; Edward H Yelin; Theodore Omachi; Paul D Blanc Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2012-12-13 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: John R Balmes; Gillian Earnest; Patricia P Katz; Edward H Yelin; Mark D Eisner; Hubert Chen; Laura Trupin; Fred Lurmann; Paul D Blanc Journal: J Allergy Clin Immunol Date: 2009-01-18 Impact factor: 10.793