K D Rosenman1, W S Beckett2. 1. Michigan State University, 909 Fee Hall, Room 117 West Fee, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. Electronic address: Rosenman@msu.edu. 2. Department of Medicine, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Work-related asthma is common and yet remains a challenge to diagnose. Access to a listing of agents associated with work-related asthma has been suggested as useful in assisting in the diagnosis. METHODS: The Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC) developed criteria that were used to review the peer-reviewed medical literature published in English. Based on this review, substances were designated either as a sensitizing agent or an irritant. The reviews were conducted by a board certified internist/pulmonologist/occupational medicine specialist from 2002 to 2007 and a board certified internist/occupational medicine physician from 2008- date. All reviews were then reviewed by the nine member AOEC board of directors. RESULTS: The original list of agents associated with new onset work-related asthma was derived from the tables of a text book on work-related asthma. After 13 years of review, there are 327 substances designated as asthma agents on the AOEC list; 173 (52.9%) coded as sensitizers, 35 (10.7%) as generally recognized as an asthma causing agent, four (1.2%) as irritants, two (0.6%) as both a sensitizer and an irritant and 113(34.6%) agents that still need to be reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: The AOEC has developed a readily available web based listing of agents associated with new onset work-related asthma in adults. The listing is based on peer-reviewed criteria. The listing is updated twice a year. Regular review of the peer-reviewed medical literature is conducted to determine whether new substances should be added to the list. Clinicians should find the list useful when considering the diagnosis of work-related asthma.
BACKGROUND: Work-related asthma is common and yet remains a challenge to diagnose. Access to a listing of agents associated with work-related asthma has been suggested as useful in assisting in the diagnosis. METHODS: The Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC) developed criteria that were used to review the peer-reviewed medical literature published in English. Based on this review, substances were designated either as a sensitizing agent or an irritant. The reviews were conducted by a board certified internist/pulmonologist/occupational medicine specialist from 2002 to 2007 and a board certified internist/occupational medicine physician from 2008- date. All reviews were then reviewed by the nine member AOEC board of directors. RESULTS: The original list of agents associated with new onset work-related asthma was derived from the tables of a text book on work-related asthma. After 13 years of review, there are 327 substances designated as asthma agents on the AOEC list; 173 (52.9%) coded as sensitizers, 35 (10.7%) as generally recognized as an asthma causing agent, four (1.2%) as irritants, two (0.6%) as both a sensitizer and an irritant and 113(34.6%) agents that still need to be reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: The AOEC has developed a readily available web based listing of agents associated with new onset work-related asthma in adults. The listing is based on peer-reviewed criteria. The listing is updated twice a year. Regular review of the peer-reviewed medical literature is conducted to determine whether new substances should be added to the list. Clinicians should find the list useful when considering the diagnosis of work-related asthma.
Authors: Kenneth Rosenman; Mary Jo Reilly; Elise Pechter; Kathleen Fitzsimmons; Jennifer Flattery; Justine Weinberg; Karen Cummings; Marija Borjan; Margaret Lumia; Robert Harrison; Katelynn Dodd; Patricia Schleiff Journal: J Occup Environ Med Date: 2020-02 Impact factor: 2.306