Socioeconomic outcome of subjects experiencing asthma symptoms at work

The aim of this study was to investigate the socioeconomic outcomes of subjects who experienced work-related asthma symptoms in the absence of demonstrable occupational asthma (OA) and to compare these outcomes with those found in subjects with documented OA. Subjects (n=157) who were being investigated for work-related asthma, were surveyed. Of these 86 had OA, ascertained by a positive specific inhalation challenge (SIC), and 71 subjects had a negative SIC response. After a median interval of 43 months (range 12-85 months), the subjects were interviewed to collect information on employment status, income changes, and asthma-related work disability. Rates of work disruption and income loss at follow-up were similar in subjects with negative SIC (46% and 59%, respectively) and in those with OA (38% and 62%). The median loss as a percentage of initial income was 23% in subjects with negative SIC and 22% in subjects with OA. Asthma-related work disability, defined as any job change or work loss due to asthma, was slightly more common in subjects with OA (72%) than in those with negative SIC (54%). This study shows that, even in the absence of demonstrable occupational asthma, work-related asthma symptoms are associated with considerable socioeconomic consequences.