Reference

Ameille J, Paton JC, Bayeux MC et al, Consequences of occupational asthma on employment and financial status: a follow-up study, Eur Respir J, 1997;10:55-58,

BOHRF Original Authors' Main Conclusions

The original authors' main conclusions are taken from Abstract, Results and Discussion. They are decided upon by the authors of the BOHRF occupational asthma guidelines and form part of the guidelines.

Patients with occupational asthma were reviewed on average 3.1 years after the diagnosis. At time of review, 44% of patients had left their previous job and 25% were currently unemployed. 32% remained exposed to the offending agents in the same job. 46 percent of the patients had suffered a reduction of income. Claims for compensation, size of the company, level of education, and age at the time of diagnosis were significantly associated with a risk for becoming unemployed or having a new employer after the diagnosis of occupational asthma. The authors conclude that occupational asthma results in severe socio-economic consequences.

BOHRF Associated Evidence Statements

The BOHRF occupational asthma guidelines state that this reference is associated with the following evidence statements

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Approximately one third of workers with occupational asthma are unemployed up to 6 years after diagnosis.

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Workers with occupational asthma suffer financially.

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Systems that incorporate retraining may be more effective than those that do not.