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Work-related exacerbation of asthma
Paul K Henneberger1, Christopher D Hoffman, David J Magid
1Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, West Virginia 26505, USA. pkh0@cdc.gov
International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health
|November 5, 2002
Summary
Approximately 25% of adults with asthma reported their work environment worsened their condition. Workplace asthma exacerbation was linked to lower education, smoking, other respiratory issues, and severe asthma.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Asthma management is complex, with environmental factors significantly impacting patient outcomes.
- Workplace exposures are recognized triggers for asthma exacerbations, yet data on prevalence and associated factors remain limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of workplace exacerbation of asthma among adults enrolled in a health maintenance organization.
- To identify demographic, occupational, and clinical factors associated with self-reported workplace exacerbation of asthma.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was administered to 1,461 adult asthma patients enrolled in a health maintenance organization for at least one year.
- Participants completed a questionnaire assessing their health status, including a question about work environment impact on asthma.
- Statistical analysis identified characteristics of individuals reporting workplace exacerbation of asthma.
Main Results:
- Twenty-five percent of participants reported their work environment worsened their asthma.
- Workplace exacerbation was more common in individuals with less than a college education, current or former smokers, a history of other respiratory diseases, and those who had missed work/activities for extended periods.
- Asthma severity was also associated, with moderate, severe, or very severe asthma reported more frequently among those with workplace exacerbation.
- Industry-specific prevalence varied, with highest rates in mining/construction (36%) and public administration (33%), and lowest in educational services (22%) and finance/insurance/real estate (22%).
Conclusions:
- Self-reported workplace exacerbation of asthma affects a significant minority of adult asthma patients.
- Factors such as lower educational attainment, smoking history, comorbid respiratory conditions, and asthma severity are associated with workplace exacerbation.
- Further research is needed for objective validation and prospective studies to elucidate causal relationships and contributing factors.