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HERO ID
1510869
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Occupational risk factors associated with work-exacerbated asthma in Quebec
Author(s)
Lemiere, C; Bégin, D; Camus, M; Forget, A; Boulet, L-P; Gérin, M
Year
2012
Is Peer Reviewed?
1
Journal
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
ISSN:
1351-0711
EISSN:
1470-7926
Volume
69
Issue
12
Page Numbers
901-907
Language
English
PMID
23000826
DOI
10.1136/oemed-2012-100663
Web of Science Id
WOS:000311106600008
Abstract
Background There is limited information regarding the occupational exposures of subjects with a diagnosis of work-exacerbated asthma (WEA). Objectives To: (1) identify potential specific occupational, chemical, biological and physical agents associated with incident cases of WEA and (2) compare these agents with occupational exposures of occupational asthma (OA) and non-work-related asthma (NWRA) cases. Methods Subjects were workers with work-related asthma (WRA) or NWRA referred between 2005 and 2008 to two Quebec clinics specialised in the field of WRA. Specific inhalation challenges were performed to differentiate OA from WEA. Work exposures were assessed using a detailed occupational questionnaire. Exposures to 41 chemical and biological agents were coded in a semiquantitative way according to a combination of indices for concentration in workplace air, frequency and confidence of exposure by an occupational hygienist expert in occupational exposure coding. This expert was blind to the medical status of WEA, OA or NWRA. Five physical agents were coded on a yes/no scale. Results 153 subjects were enrolled (53 WEA, 67 OA and 33 NWRA). WEA cases were significantly more exposed to ammonia, engine exhaust fumes, silica, mineral fibres, aerosol propellants and solvents, and significantly less exposed to animal derived dust and enzymes than were OA cases. Exposure to physical conditions did not differ between WEA and OA. Conclusions Exposures associated with WEA differ from those associated with OA in this study. A proportion of subjects with WEA may suffer from low-dose irritant asthma, which remains a hypothesis to be tested.
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