Reference

Ricciardi L, Fedele R, Saitta S et al, Occupational asthma due to exposure to iroko wood dust, Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol, 2003;91:393-397,

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 improve understanding of the pathogenesis of occupational asthma induced by iroko wood dust and looked at the sensitivity and specificity of skin prick tests, RASTS and intra-dermal tests and peak flows and non-specific bronchial reactivity to iroko asthma. It was found that skin prick testing is an insensitive test for the diagnosis of occupational asthma (0/9). Intra-dermal iroko allergen has a sensitivity of 4/9. Peak flows all showed a 20% reduction at work in those with occupational asthma (100% sensitive). All were tested against a gold standard specific challenge test. The histories were 100% sensitive and abnormal non-specific reactivity was 100% sensitive. Paper shows the lack of use of skin prick testing in iroko asthma and the diagnostic sensitive 100% with peak flow records.

BOHRF Associated Evidence Statements

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

Free histories taken by experts have high sensitivity, but their specificity may be lower.

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A large number of concordant studies from different centres using different methodologies demonstrated that increased non-specific reactivity is often found in workers with occupational asthma. There are however many reports of normal methacholine or histamine reactivity within 24 hours of exposure in workers with confirmed occupational asthma.

Non Bohrf Information

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