Occupational asthma What is an occupational asthma Occupational
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Occupational asthma What is an occupational asthma?
Occupational asthma What is an occupational asthma? It is asthma caused by an agent inhaled at work.
Occupational asthma • Commonest industrial lung disease. • Clear cause can be identified (over 400). • Symptoms resolve completely if kept away from the substance which cause it. • The longer they exposed the less likely that their symptoms will improve, even if they leave their job. • Importance of early diagnosis and appropriate action.
Occupational asthma Occupational Asthma - Prevalence • 10% of adult onset asthma (kogevinas et al 1999). • Only 1/3 of patients are identified. • Affect all socio-economic groups, ages and both sexes. • Atopics are more susceptible.
Occupational asthma O. A. - Health Professional Role • Early disease is reversible, but late is irreversible. • Identify those at risk of O. A. • Early diagnosis by certain questions.
Occupational asthma O. A. - Health Professional Role Early referral of those at high risks to chest physician with Occupational interest for : - Detailed Medical & Occupational history. - Immunological investigations as SPT, s. Ig. Es, & specific bronchial provocation test.
Occupational asthma O. A. - Health Professional Role Meanwhile • Record Peak Flow every 2 hours (from wake up time – bedtime) for 4 weeks • May not always be practical
Occupational asthma Occupations at risk • Paint sprayers • Bakers • Health care workers • Electronic industry (solderers). • Pharmaceutical workers. • Those who Work with animals. • Wood workers. • Detergent industry workers.
Occupational asthma O. A. - Assessment Questions: 1) what is your occupation? 2) when exactly did the asthma start? 3) Is your asthma better on non-working days or holidays? 4) If better- does it vary during the working week? 5) Are there other workers in your place of work with similar symptoms?
Occupational asthma O. A. - Assessment Questions: • Sensitization start typically 3 -6 months or longer. • If symptoms start before starting work occupational. asthma is unlikely. • As the disease advance symptoms may persist in weekends.
Occupational asthma O. A. – If cause identified : • Worker should be removed from environment. • Relocate the worker within the same employment. • Not always practical from a financial perspective • Delay in relocation from the cause have long lasting effects on asthma control.
Occupational asthma O. A. – If cause identified : - • Financial compensation if work related asthma cause is identified. • Assessment of long term impairment is delayed for at least 2 years after relocation away from occupational exposure (BTS/SIGN)