Reference

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.

Subjects categorized 'exposed workers', 'unexposed workers' and 'unemployed'. At time of diagnosis, respiratory symptoms were similar in all groups, but at follow-up (51-88 months after diagnosis) use of medication, respiratory symptoms and asthma severity were higher in 'worker exposed' group. Significant differences were found in income at follow-up. Unemployed had the lowest income and working-unexposed subjects also had a significantly lower income, both at diagnosis and during follow-up examination, than working-exposed. After diagnosis 27% changed job, which was associated with a decrease in income and 41% were unemployed. Socioeconomic factors are more important in determining the working status of subjects after a diagnosis of occupational asthma. The unemployed were older and had less dependents compared with those working (probably had to continue to work in the same job because they had a large number of dependents).

BOHRF Associated Evidence Statements

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