New-onset adult asthma in relation to damp and moldy workplaces

Abstract

Exposure to damp and moldy workplaces can induce new-onset adult asthma. IgE mediation is a rare mechanism, whereas other mechanisms are unknown.

Quality of life of patients with asthma related to damp and moldy work environments

“…A differentiation between OA and WEA caused by exposure to building dampness and molds is difficult to achieve, and there are several reasons for possible misclassification (13). Nevertheless, we found an impaired Quality of life and dampness-related asthma QOL among the patients diagnosed with OA caused by workplace dampness and molds when they were compared with patients with WEA or symptoms only in corresponding environments.…”

“…In our previous study conducted in the same source population, six months after the diagnosis of OA, 58% had returned to work (13). Now, at the follow-up 3-12 years later, the employment status was nearly unchanged, with 54% of the respondents being currently employed.…”

“…The diagnoses were based on workplace exposure to indoor air molds, asthma that started during the exposure, the work-relatedness of the asthma symptoms (appearing or worsening at work and improving away from work), and at least one positive work-related, pulmonary function test result. As a consequence of the compensation policy of that time, the latter was most often a positive specific inhalation challenge response to a commercial fungal extract (5,13). Occasionally, work-related changes in serial peak flow measurements sufficed for the diagnosis of OA.…”

“…According to our clinical experience, asthma related to damp and moldy workplaces is often persistent, and patients often experience substantially deteriorated health and well- Karvala et al being. In addition to asthma symptoms, patients have a variety of non-specific symptoms, including symptoms of the eyes, skin and upper airways, as well as headache, hoarseness, and fatigue (13).…”

Prolonged exposure to damp and moldy workplaces and new-onset asthma

“…Occupational asthma has been attributed to exposure to indoor dampness and molds since the early 1990s. Since 2002, such exposure has been the most frequently reported cause of occupational asthma in the national register of occupational diseases (Piipari and Keskinen 2005;Karvala et al 2010).…”