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.

Study aimed to assess the efficacy of dust respirators in preventing asthma attacks in patients with buckwheat flour/wheat flour-induced occupational asthma. The effect of the work environment was examined in 2 patients with occupational asthma with and without the use of a commercially available mask or a dust respirator. In patient 1, environmental exposure resulted in no symptoms during and immediately after work, but coughing, wheezing, and dyspnoea developed after 6 hours. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) decreased by 44% 7 hours after leaving the work environment, showing only a positive late asthmatic reaction. In patient 2, environmental exposure resulted in coughing and wheezing 10 minutes after initiation during bread making, and PEFR decreased by 39%. After 7 hours, PEFR decreased by 34%. The environmental provocation tests in both patients were repeated after wearing a commercial respiratory. This resulted in a complete suppression of the late asthmatic reaction in patient 1 and of the immediate and late asthmatic reactions in patient 2. Authors conclude that dust respirators are effective in preventing asthma attacks induced by buckwheat flour and wheat flour.

BOHRF Associated Evidence Statements

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