Health and socioeconomic impact of work-related asthma

Abstract

There is accumulating evidence that the workplace environment contributes significantly to the general burden of asthma. The purpose of this review is to explore the respiratory health and socioeconomic consequences of work-related asthma by addressing a series of controversial issues: 1) what is the natural history of occupational asthma and in what ways does ongoing exposure to the causal agent impact clinical outcomes?; 2) how does the natural history of irritant-induced asthma differ in its health outcomes from immunologically-mediated occupational asthma?; 3) do working conditions have a significant impact on asthma regardless of the aetiology of the disease?; 4) what is the scope of work disability from work-related-asthma in social and economic terms?; 5) what is the clinician9s role in reducing the respiratory health consequences of work-related asthma? 6) to what extent do existing compensation and other social insurance schemes successfully address occupational asthma and workaggravated asthma? Eur Respir J 2003; 22: 689-697.

Challenge inhalation tests in the diagnosis of occupational asthma: the guidelines of European Respiratory Society

“…До 20 % взрослых больных БА жа луются на усиление симптомов во время пребывания на работе [22], хотя только у небольшой их части отмечается иммунологическая или обусловленная сенсибилизирующими факторами БА [23]. Своевре менный и точный диагноз ПБА является основопо лагающим элементом подбора адекватной терапии и минимизации неблагоприятных медицинских или социально экономических исходов заболевания [4,24,25]. Тщательное выявление случаев ПБА и ее этио логии важно и для первичной профилактики ее у дру гих рабочих, подвергающихся аналогичному воздей ствию.…”

Untitled

“…The direct costs of this are similar to those of asthma whereas the indirect costs through loss of productivity are higher (Ameille et al, 2006). Occupational asthma has heavy medical and socioeconomic consequences with a deterioration in quality life and loss of employment (30 -40% of cases) (Vandenplas et al, 2003). The frequency of OA in the world is nevertheless difficult to determine, especially because the disease is under-diagnosed and not reported in sufficient numbers (Friedman-Jimenez et al, 2015).…”

ERS position paper: work-related respiratory diseases in the EU

“…This is probably a reflection of the grave consequences it has on the workability of persons whose disease is caused by exposures that they have been trained to work with [35]. In this respect, it is worthwhile underlining the effectiveness of primary and secondary prevention in reduction of costs concerning occupational asthma and COPD [36].…”