RATIONALE: Recent U.S. data suggest an increased risk of work-related asthma among health care workers, yet only a few specific determinants have been elucidated. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate associations of asthma prevalence with occupational exposures in a cross-sectional survey of health care professionals. METHODS: A detailed questionnaire was mailed to a random sample (n=5,600) of all Texas physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and occupational therapists with active licenses in 2003. Information on asthma symptoms and nonoccupational asthma risk factors obtained from the questionnaire was linked to occupational exposures derived through an industry-specific job-exposure matrix. MEASUREMENTS: There were two a priori defined outcomes: (1) physician-diagnosed asthma with onset after entry into health care ("reported asthma") and (2) "bronchial hyperresponsiveness-related symptoms," defined through an 8-item symptom-based predictor. MAIN RESULTS: Overall response rate was 66%. The final study population consisted of 862 physicians, 941 nurses, 968 occupational therapists, and 879 respiratory therapists (n=3,650). Reported asthma was associated with medical instrument cleaning (odds ratio [OR], 2.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34-3.67), general cleaning (OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.20-3.40), use of powdered latex gloves between 1992 and 2000 (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.27-3.73), and administration of aerosolized medications (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.05-2.83). The risk associated with latex glove use was not apparent after 2000. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness-related symptoms were associated with general cleaning (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.21-2.19), aerosolized medication administration (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.06-1.84), use of adhesives on patients (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.22-2.24), and exposure to a chemical spill (OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.28-3.21). CONCLUSIONS: The contribution of occupational exposures to asthma in health care professionals is not trivial, meriting both implementation of appropriate controls and further study.
RATIONALE: Recent U.S. data suggest an increased risk of work-related asthma among health care workers, yet only a few specific determinants have been elucidated. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate associations of asthma prevalence with occupational exposures in a cross-sectional survey of health care professionals. METHODS: A detailed questionnaire was mailed to a random sample (n=5,600) of all Texas physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and occupational therapists with active licenses in 2003. Information on asthma symptoms and nonoccupational asthma risk factors obtained from the questionnaire was linked to occupational exposures derived through an industry-specific job-exposure matrix. MEASUREMENTS: There were two a priori defined outcomes: (1) physician-diagnosed asthma with onset after entry into health care ("reported asthma") and (2) "bronchial hyperresponsiveness-related symptoms," defined through an 8-item symptom-based predictor. MAIN RESULTS: Overall response rate was 66%. The final study population consisted of 862 physicians, 941 nurses, 968 occupational therapists, and 879 respiratory therapists (n=3,650). Reported asthma was associated with medical instrument cleaning (odds ratio [OR], 2.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.34-3.67), general cleaning (OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.20-3.40), use of powdered latex gloves between 1992 and 2000 (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.27-3.73), and administration of aerosolized medications (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.05-2.83). The risk associated with latex glove use was not apparent after 2000. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness-related symptoms were associated with general cleaning (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.21-2.19), aerosolized medication administration (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.06-1.84), use of adhesives on patients (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.22-2.24), and exposure to a chemical spill (OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.28-3.21). CONCLUSIONS: The contribution of occupational exposures to asthma in health care professionals is not trivial, meriting both implementation of appropriate controls and further study.
Authors: A Vyas; C A Pickering; L A Oldham; H C Francis; A M Fletcher; T Merrett; R M Niven Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2000-11 Impact factor: 4.402
Authors: Jan-Paul Zock; Núria Cavallé; Hans Kromhout; Susan M Kennedy; Jordi Sunyer; Angeles Jaén; Nerea Muniozguren; Félix Payo; Enrique Almar; José L Sánchez; Josep M Antó; Manolis Kogevinas Journal: J Expo Anal Environ Epidemiol Date: 2004-09
Authors: Feng-Chiao Su; Melissa C Friesen; Aleksandr B Stefaniak; Paul K Henneberger; Ryan F LeBouf; Marcia L Stanton; Xiaoming Liang; Michael Humann; M Abbas Virji Journal: Ann Work Expo Health Date: 2018-08-13 Impact factor: 2.179
Authors: Nicole Le Moual; Raphaëlle Varraso; Jan Paul Zock; Paul Henneberger; Frank E Speizer; Francine Kauffmann; Carlos A Camargo Journal: J Occup Environ Med Date: 2013-08 Impact factor: 2.162
Authors: C Quinot; O Dumas; P K Henneberger; R Varraso; A S Wiley; F E Speizer; M Goldberg; J P Zock; C A Camargo; N Le Moual Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2016-08-26 Impact factor: 4.402