Saara Taponen1, Jukka Uitti2, Kirsi Karvala3, Ritva Luukkonen4, Lauri Lehtimäki5. 1. Valmet Occupational Health, Valmet Technologies Inc., Lentokentänkatu 11, 33101 Tampere, Finland; Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, 33014 University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland. Electronic address: saara.taponen@fimnet.fi. 2. Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, 33014 University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland; Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, PO Box 40, 00251, Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: jukka.uitti@tuni.fi. 3. Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, PO Box 40, 00251, Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: kirsi.karvala@ttl.fi. 4. Clinicum, Faculty of Medicine, PO Box 63, 00014, University of Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: ritvaa.luukkonen@gmail.com. 5. Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, 33014 University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland; Allergy Centre, Tampere University Hospital, PO Box 2000, 33521, Tampere, Finland. Electronic address: lauri.lehtimaki@tuni.fi.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Age at asthma onset is associated with severity and outcomes of the disease. OBJECTIVE: We studied if age at asthma diagnosis is related to employment and outcomes in working career. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 2613 adults with asthma in Tampere, Finland, and a follow-up questionnaire was sent after six years. Asthmatics were divided into groups based on their employment status: working full-time or work disability. Logistic regression was used to study the association of age at asthma diagnosis with employment status at baseline and with the risk of exiting full-time work during follow-up period. RESULTS: In cross-sectional analysis, asthma diagnosed in late adulthood (50 + years) was associated with higher OR for having work-disability compared to childhood onset asthma (OR [95% CI] 3.60 [1.43-9.06]). During follow-up, asthma diagnosed in late adulthood was associated with higher OR for exiting full time work compared to childhood-onset asthma (OR 10.87 [3.25-36.40]). CONCLUSIONS: Asthma diagnosed in late adulthood is a higher risk for poor employment than asthma diagnosed earlier in life. Adult-onset of asthma is an important factor in view of work ability and early rehabilitation procedures.
BACKGROUND: Age at asthma onset is associated with severity and outcomes of the disease. OBJECTIVE: We studied if age at asthma diagnosis is related to employment and outcomes in working career. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to 2613 adults with asthma in Tampere, Finland, and a follow-up questionnaire was sent after six years. Asthmatics were divided into groups based on their employment status: working full-time or work disability. Logistic regression was used to study the association of age at asthma diagnosis with employment status at baseline and with the risk of exiting full-time work during follow-up period. RESULTS: In cross-sectional analysis, asthma diagnosed in late adulthood (50 + years) was associated with higher OR for having work-disability compared to childhood onset asthma (OR [95% CI] 3.60 [1.43-9.06]). During follow-up, asthma diagnosed in late adulthood was associated with higher OR for exiting full time work compared to childhood-onset asthma (OR 10.87 [3.25-36.40]). CONCLUSIONS:Asthma diagnosed in late adulthood is a higher risk for poor employment than asthma diagnosed earlier in life. Adult-onset of asthma is an important factor in view of work ability and early rehabilitation procedures.
Authors: Stinna Skaaby; Esben Meulengracht Flachs; Peter Lange; Vivi Schlünssen; Jacob Louis Marott; Charlotte Brauer; Børge G Nordestgaard; Steven Sadhra; Om Kurmi; Jens Peter Ellekilde Bonde Journal: PLoS One Date: 2020-12-28 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Hanna Hisinger-Mölkänen; Jasmin Honkamäki; Hannu Kankaanranta; Leena Tuomisto; Helena Backman; Heidi Andersen; Ari Lindqvist; Lauri Lehtimäki; Anssi Sovijärvi; Eva Rönmark; Paula Pallasaho; Pinja Ilmarinen; Päivi Piirilä Journal: World Allergy Organ J Date: 2022-09-16 Impact factor: 5.516