Which factors increase the probability of a favourable prognosis after a diagnosis of occupational asthma?


*** 2++ The likelihood of improvement or resolution of symptoms or of preventing deterioration is greater in workers who have no further exposure to the causative agent.

Evidence

Burge PS , Non-specific bronchial hyper-reactivity in workers exposed to toluene di-isocyanate, diphenyl methane di-isocyanate and colophony , Eur J Respir Dis , 1982 ; 63 Sup 123 : 91-96

ChanYeung M, Lam S, Koener S , Clinical features and natural history of occupational asthma due to western red Cedar (Thuja plicata) , Am J Med , 1982 ; 72 : 411-415

Merget R, Schulte A, Gebler A, Breitstadt R, Kulzer R, Berndt ED, Baur, X, SchultzeWerninghaus G , Outcome of occupational asthma due to platinum salts after transferral to low-esposure areas , Int Arch Occup Environ Health , 1999 ; 72 : 33-39

Moscato G, Dellabianca A, Perfetti L, Brame B, Galdi E, Niniano R, Paggiaro P , Occupational asthma: A longitudunal study on the clinical and socioeconomic outcome after diagnosis , Chest , 1999 ; 115 : 249-256

Pisati G, Baruffini A, Zedda S , Toluene Di-isocyanate Induced Asthma: Outcome According To Persistence Or Cessation Of Exposure , Br J Ind Med , 1993 ; 50 : 60-64

Rosenberg N, Garnier R, Rousselin X et al , Clinical and socio-professional fate of isocyanate-induced asthma , Clin Allergy , 1987 ; 17 : 55-61

Tarlo SM, Banks D, Liss G et al , Outcome determinants for isocyanate induced occupational asthma among compensation claimants , Occup Environ Med , 1997 ; 54 : 756-761

Valentino M, Pizzichini MA, Monaco F et al , Latex-induced asthma in four healthcare workers in a regional hospital , Occup Med (London) , 1994 ; 44 : 161-164

Valentino M, Rapisarda V , Course of isocyanate-induced asthma in relation to exposure cessation: Longitudinal study of 50 subjects , G Ital Med Lav Ergon , 2002 ; 24 : 26-31

Vandenplas O, Delwiche JP Depelchin S et al , Latex Gloves With A Lower Protein Content Reduce Bronchial Reactions In Subjects With Occupational Asthma Caused By Latex , Am J Respir Crit Care Med , 1995 ; 151 : 887-891

Principal reccomendations

This statement supports the following principal reccomendations

View the principal reccomendations

Employers and their health and safety personnel should ensure that measures are taken to ensure that workers diagnosed as having of occupational asthma avoid further exposure to its cause in the workplace.

Physicians treating patients with occupational asthma should follow published clinical guidelines for the pharmacological management of patients with asthma in conjunction with recommendations to avoid exposure to the causative agent.

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