Common clinical presentations of occupational respiratory disorders

Occupational lung disorders can mimic other respiratory diseases. Recurrent upper respiratory irritation, bronchitis, flu-like syndromes, adult-onset asthma and interstitial lung disease can be caused by dust, gases and fumes. The diagnosis of a work-related respiratory disorder requires a high index of suspicion and a thorough occupational history. The work-up may have to be more extensive than that for nonoccupational lung disease, because the casual agent usually must be identified and secondary issues, such as disability, compensation and prognosis, need to be considered. Treatment must include measures to decrease or eliminate exposure to the causative agent.