Gender differences in work-related asthma: surveillance data from California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey, 1993–2008

Abstract

Objective To characterize work-related asthma by gender. Methods We analyzed state-based sentinel surveillance data on confirmed work-related asthma cases collected from California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey during 1993–2008. We used Chi-square and Fisher’s Exact Test statistics to compare select characteristics between females and males. Results Of the 8239 confirmed work-related asthma cases, 60% were female. When compared to males with work-related asthma, females with work-related asthma were more likely to be identified through workers’ compensation (14.8% versus 10.6%) and less likely to be identified through hospital data (14.2% versus 16.9%). Moreover, when compared to males, females were more likely to have work-aggravated asthma (24.4% versus 13.5%) and less likely to have new-onset asthma (48.0% versus 56.5%). Females were also more likely than males with work-related asthma to work in healthcare and social assistance (28.7% versus 5.2%), educational services (11.8% versus 4.2%), and retail trade (5.0% versus 3.9%) industries and in office and administrative support (20.0% versus 4.0%), healthcare practitioners and technical (13.4% versus 1.6%), and education training and library (6.2% versus 1.3%) occupations. Agent groups most frequently associated with work-related asthma were miscellaneous chemicals (20.3%), cleaning materials (15.3%), and indoor air pollutants (14.9%) in females and miscellaneous chemicals (15.7%), mineral and inorganic dusts (13.2%), and pyrolysis products (12.7%) in males. Conclusions Among adults with work-related asthma, males and females differ in terms of workplace exposures, occupations, and industries. Physicians should consider these gender differences when diagnosing and treating asthma in working adults.

Farm Work-Related Asthma Among US Primary Farm Operators

“…This finding is slightly higher than previously reported results from California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey work-related surveillance systems where 68.6% of individuals with work-related asthma in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing industry were males. 37 Other studies from work-related asthma surveillance systems reported that more of the work-related asthma patients are females. 38,39 However, in these reports no separate results for men and women by industry and occupation were presented.…”

Asthma is Different in Women

“…The different workplace exposures between men and women should be taken into consideration when considering gender effects on asthma. Women with work-related asthma are more likely to work in healthcare, educational services, retail trade, and education [109]. While all asthmatics overall are more likely to own a furry pet compared to nonasthmatics (49.9 % versus 44.8 %), and to frequently allow them into the bedroom (68.7 %), asthmatic women have a higher chance of owning a pet compared to asthmatic men [110].…”

Occupational exposure to disinfectants and asthma incidence in U.S. nurses: A prospective cohort study

“…Late‐onset asthma has been described as a distinct asthma phenotype, associated with higher morbidity . Similarly, occupational asthma can develop at any time during the working life, and older age at diagnosis has been associated with worse outcomes . Nonetheless, few studies have investigated the impact of occupational exposures on respiratory health at later career stages.…”