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.

Individuals with occupational asthma may also report symptoms of rhinitis or conjunctivitis. Study aimed to investigate the prevalence of rhinitis and conjunctivitis in subjects with occupational asthma as a result of trimellitic anhydride (TMA) and also to evaluate the onset of rhinitis and conjunctivitis symptoms as compared with the occupational asthma symptoms. 25 consecutive employees with TMA-induced asthma were studied; each of them had participated in an annual surveillance program in which they were queried about rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and other respiratory symptoms. 22/25 (88%) reported rhinitis symptoms whereas 17/25 (68%) reported conjunctivitis symptoms. In 17/22 (77%) individuals with rhinitis and asthma, the rhinitis symptoms preceded the asthma symptoms. In 14/17(82%) individuals with conjunctivitis, those symptoms preceded the asthma symptoms. The mean time periods for the onset of rhinitis and asthma were 1.8 years and 2.6 years respectively. In summary, symptoms of rhinitis and conjunctivitis are common in subjects with occupational asthma because of TMA and often precede the respiratory symptoms.

BOHRF Associated Evidence Statements

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