OBJECTIVE: In a general population of employed persons with health insurance, what proportion of adult-onset asthma is caused by occupational exposures? METHOD: We conducted a 2-year prospective study to identify adult-onset asthma among health maintenance organization (HMO) members. Telephone interviews regarding occupational exposures, symptoms, medication use, and triggers were used to assess likelihood of work-related asthma for each case. Weighted estimating equations were used to adjust the proportion of asthma attributable to workplace exposures for factors associated with interview participation. RESULTS: Overall, 29% (95% confidence interval, 25-34%) of adult-onset asthma was attributable to workplace exposures; 26% (21-30%) and 22% (18-27%) of cases had asthma attributable to occupational irritant and sensitizer exposures, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational exposures, including irritants, are important causes of adult-onset asthma.
OBJECTIVE: In a general population of employed persons with health insurance, what proportion of adult-onset asthma is caused by occupational exposures? METHOD: We conducted a 2-year prospective study to identify adult-onset asthma among health maintenance organization (HMO) members. Telephone interviews regarding occupational exposures, symptoms, medication use, and triggers were used to assess likelihood of work-related asthma for each case. Weighted estimating equations were used to adjust the proportion of asthma attributable to workplace exposures for factors associated with interview participation. RESULTS: Overall, 29% (95% confidence interval, 25-34%) of adult-onset asthma was attributable to workplace exposures; 26% (21-30%) and 22% (18-27%) of cases had asthma attributable to occupational irritant and sensitizer exposures, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational exposures, including irritants, are important causes of adult-onset asthma.
Authors: M D Lougheed; C Lemière; S D Dell; F M Ducharme; J Mark Fitzgerald; R Leigh; C Licskai; B H Rowe; D Bowie; A Becker; Louis-Philippe Boulet Journal: Can Respir J Date: 2010 Jan-Feb Impact factor: 2.409