Definitions and types of work-related asthma: a nosological approach

Abstract

The workplace can trigger or induce asthma and cause the onset of different types of work-related asthma. Analysis of previous definitions of occupational asthma (OA) led to the conclusion that evidence of a direct causal relationship between workplace exposure and the development of asthma remains the key element for defining OA.Based on clinical features and pathophysiological mechanisms, the following conditions should be distinguished in the spectrum of work-related asthma: 1) immunological OA characterised by a latency period necessary to acquire immunologically induced sensitisation; 2) nonimmunological OA characterised by the rapid onset of asthma following single or multiple exposures to high concentrations of irritant compounds; 3) work-related asthma defined by exacerbation of symptoms in workers with pre-existing or coincident asthma; and 4) variant syndromes including eosinophilic bronchitis, potroom asthma, and asthma-like disorders caused by organic dusts.The issues and controversies relating to this approach are critically reviewed in order to stimulate the consensus development of operational definitions of work-related asthma. Eur Respir J 2003; 21: 706-712.

Prevalence and correlates of asthma among selected garment factory workers at the Free Trade Zone, Ekala

“…Work related asthma refers to asthma that is induced (occupational asthma) or exacerbated (work exacerbated asthma) by inhalational exposures in the workplace (2,3). Bernstein et al (4) describes occupational asthma as a disease that is "characterized by variable airflow limitation and/or nonspecific airway hyperresponsiveness due to causes and conditions attributable to a particular occupational environment and not to stimuli encountered outside the workplace" or simply as asthma caused by exposure to agents at work place (5).…”

Work-Related Asthma in Automobile Spray Painters: Two Case Reports

“…According to current ERS recommendations (1,19,20), allergic OA is defined as a diagnosed asthma that occurred after entering the current workplace with work-relatedness of the symptoms confirmed by serial PEFR monitoring or serial bronchoprovocation testing. Irritant-induced asthma (reactive airways dysfunctional syndrome -RADS) is defined as asthma with a sudden onset after an acute, high-level irritant exposure in a subject with documented absence of preceding respiratory complaints (1,19).…”

“…Irritant-induced asthma (reactive airways dysfunctional syndrome -RADS) is defined as asthma with a sudden onset after an acute, high-level irritant exposure in a subject with documented absence of preceding respiratory complaints (1,19). WEA is defined as a preexisting or a new-onset asthma whose symptoms have worsened due to workplace environmental exposure, and is diagnosed by exclusion of OA (1).…”

“…Workplace exposure can trigger or induce asthma and cause different types of work-related asthma (WRA) (1). WRA is a broad term encompassing occupational asthma (OA), that may be allergic and non-allergic or irritant-induced, and work-exacerbated asthma (WEA) (1,2).…”

“…Workplace exposure can trigger or induce asthma and cause different types of work-related asthma (WRA) (1). WRA is a broad term encompassing occupational asthma (OA), that may be allergic and non-allergic or irritant-induced, and work-exacerbated asthma (WEA) (1,2). Over the last few decades WRA has become the most common work-related respiratory disorder in the industrialised countries, contributing to 10 % to 29 % of all adult asthma cases (3)(4)(5).…”