Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Work-exacerbated asthma

  • Chapter
Book cover Occupational Asthma

Part of the book series: Progress in Inflammation Research ((PIR))

Abstract

Exposures at work can contribute to both the onset and exacerbation of asthma. This chapter summarizes key information regarding work-exacerbated asthma (WEA), a common condition that has received little attention compared to new occupational asthma. WEA refers to pre-existing or concurrent asthma that is worsened by factors at work. WEA, as with asthma in general, is heterogeneous, with multiple phenotypes and triggers. The prevalence of WEA has ranged from about 15% to over 50% among working adults with asthma in published studies, but is rarely diagnosed by clinicians. WEA occurs in a wide range of industries and occupations, including education, services, manufacturing and construction, and can lead to job changes and unemployment. Multiple factors at work can exacerbate asthma, including various irritants, allergens, molds, cold and exertion. Cleaning products and building renovation in non-industrial workplaces such as schools and offices are commonly implicated. WEA can lead to substantial adverse outcomes, similar to OA. Management of WEA should focus on reducing work exposures and optimizing standard medical management.

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Moorman JE, Rudd RA, Johnson CA, King M, Minor P, Bailey C, Scalia MR, Akinbami LJ (2007) National surveillance for asthma — United States, 1980–2004. MMWR Surveill Summ 56: 1–54

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Balmes J, Becklake M, Blanc P, Henneberger P, Kreiss K, Mapp C, Milton D, Schwartz D, Toren K, Viegi G (2003) American Thoracic Society Statement: Occupational contribution to the burden of airway disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 167: 787–797

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Tarlo SM, Balmes J, Balkissoon R, Beach J, Beckett W, Bernstein D, Blanc PD, Brooks SM, Cowl CT, Daroowalla F et al (2008) Diagnosis and management of work-related asthma: American College of Chest Physicians Consensus Statement. Chest 134: 1S–41S

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Kavura MS, Wiedemann HP (2005) Asthma. In: RB George, RW Light, MA Matthay, RA Matthay (eds): Chest Medicine. Lippincott Williams& Wilkins, Philadelphia, 131–162

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bateman ED, Hurd SS, Barnes PJ, Bousquet J, Drazen JM, FitzGerald M, Gibson P, Ohta K, O’Byrne P, Pedersen SE et al (2008) Global strategy for asthma management and prevention: GINA executive summary. Eur Respir J 31: 143–178

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Abramson MJ, Kutin JJ, Rosier MJ, Bowes G (1995) Morbidity, medication and trigger factors in a community sample of adults with asthma. Med J Aust 162: 78–81

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Blanc PD, Ellbjar S, Janson C, Norback D, Norrman E, Plaschke P, Toren K (1999) Asthma-related work disability in Sweden. The impact of workplace exposures. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 160: 2028–2033

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Bolen AR, Henneberger PK, Liang X, Sama SR, Preusse PA, Rosiello RA, Milton DK (2007) The validation of work-related self-reported asthma exacerbation. Occup Environ Med 64: 343–348

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Goh LG, Ng TP, Hong CY, Wong ML, Koh K, Ling SL (1994) Outpatient adult bronchial asthma in Singapore. Singapore Med J 35: 190–194

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Henneberger PK, Deprez RD, Asdigian N, Oliver LC, Derk S, Goe SK (2003) Workplace exacerbation of asthma symptoms: Findings from a population-based study in Maine. Arch Environ Health 58: 781–788

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Henneberger PK, Derk SJ, Sama SR, Boylstein RJ, Hoffman CD, Preusse PA, Rosiello RA, Milton DK (2006) The frequency of workplace exacerbation among health maintenance organisation members with asthma. Occup Environ Med 63: 551–557

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Henneberger PK, Hoffman CD, Magid DJ, Lyons EE (2002) Work-related exacerbation of asthma. Int J Occup Environ Health 8: 291–296

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Mancuso CA, Rincon M, Charlson ME (2003) Adverse work outcomes and events attributed to asthma. Am J Ind Med 44: 236–245

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Saarinen K, Karjalainen A, Martikainen R, Uitti J, Tammilehto L, Klaukka T, Kurppa K (2003) Prevalence of work-aggravated symptoms in clinically established asthma. Eur Respir J 22: 305–309

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Caldeira RD, Bettiol H, Barbieri MA, Terra-Filho J, Garcia CA, Vianna EO (2006) Prevalence and risk factors for work related asthma in young adults. Occup Environ Med 63: 694–699

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Curwick CC, Bonauto DK, Adams DA (2006) Use of objective testing in the diagnosis of work-related asthma by physician specialty. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 97: 546–550

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. de Fatima Macaira E, Algranti E, Medina Coeli Mendonca E, Antonio Bussacos M (2007) Rhinitis and asthma symptoms in non-domestic cleaners from the Sao Paulo metropolitan area, Brazil. Occup Environ Med 64: 446–453

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Fletcher AM, London MA, Gelberg KH, Grey AJ (2006) Characteristics of patients with work-related asthma seen in the New York State Occupational Health Clinics. J Occup Environ Med 48: 1203–1211

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Goe SK, Henneberger PK, Reilly MJ, Rosenman KD, Schill DP, Valiante D, Flattery J, Harrison R, Reinisch F, Tumpowsky C et al (2004) A descriptive study of work aggravated asthma. Occup Environ Med 61: 512–517

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Larbanois A, Jamart J, Delwiche JP, Vandenplas O (2002) Socioeconomic outcome of subjects experiencing asthma symptoms at work. Eur Respir J 19: 1107–1113

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Lemiere C, Forget A, Dufour MH, Boulet LP, Blais L (2007) Characteristics and medical resource use of asthmatic subjects with and without work-related asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol 120: 1354–1359

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Pechter E, Davis LK, Tumpowsky C, Flattery J, Harrison R, Reinisch F, Reilly MJ, Rosenman KD, Schill DP, Valiante D et al (2005) Work-related asthma among health care workers: Surveillance data from California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey, 1993–1997. Am J Ind Med 47: 265–275

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Reinisch F, Harrison RJ, Cussler S, Athanasoulis M, Balmes J, Blanc P, Cone J (2001) Physician reports of work-related asthma in California, 1993–1996. Am J Ind Med 39: 72–83

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Rosenman KD, Reilly MJ, Schill DP, Valiante D, Flattery J, Harrison R, Reinisch F, Pechter E, Davis L, Tumpowsky CM et al (2003) Cleaning products and work-related asthma. J Occup Environ Med 45: 556–563

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Tarlo SM, Leung K, Broder I, Silverman F, Holness DL (2000) Asthmatic subjects symptomatically worse at work: Prevalence and characterization among a general asthma clinic population. Chest 118: 1309–1314

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Tarlo SM, Liss G, Corey P, Broder I (1995) A workers’ compensation claim population for occupational asthma. Comparison of subgroups. Chest 107: 634–641

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Berger Z, Rom WN, Reibman J, Kim M, Zhang S, Luo L, Friedman-Jimenez G (2006) Prevalence of workplace exacerbation of asthma symptoms in an urban working population of asthmatics. J Occup Environ Med 48: 833–839

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Cox-Ganser JM, White SK, Jones R, Hilsbos K, Storey E, Enright PL, Rao CY, Kreiss K (2005) Respiratory morbidity in office workers in a water-damaged building. Environ Health Perspect 113: 485–490

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Gouge SF, Daniels DJ, Smith CE (1994) Exacerbation of asthma after pyridostigmine during Operation Desert Storm. Mil Med 159: 108–111

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Jacobs JH, Spaan S, van Rooy GB, Meliefste C, Zaat VA, Rooyackers JM, Heederik D (2007) Exposure to trichloramine and respiratory symptoms in indoor swimming pool workers. Eur Respir J 29: 690–698

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Kreiss K, Esfahani RS, Antao VC, Odencrantz J, Lezotte DC, Hoffman RE (2006) Risk factors for asthma among cosmetology professionals in Colorado. J Occup Environ Med 48: 1062–1069

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Sauni R, Oksa P, Vattulainen K, Uitti J, Palmroos P, Roto P (2001) The effects of asthma on the quality of life and employment of construction workers. Occup Med (Lond) 51: 163–167

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Jajosky RA, Harrison R, Reinisch F, Flattery J, Chan J, Tumpowsky C, Davis L, Reilly MJ, Rosenman KD, Kalinowski D et al (1999) Surveillance of work-related asthma in selected U.S. states using surveillance guidelines for state health departments — California, Massachusetts, Michigan, and New Jersey, 1993–1995. MMWR CDC Surveill Summ 48: 1–20

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Petsonk EL, Daniloff EM, Mannino DM, Wang ML, Short SR, Wagner GR (1995) Airway responsiveness and job selection: A study in coal miners and non-mining controls. Occup Environ Med 52: 745–749

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Lemanske RF, Jr., Busse WW (2006) 6. tAsthma: Factors underlying inception, exacerbation, and disease progression. J Allergy Clin Immunol 117: S456–461

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Pelissier S, Chaboillez S, Teolis L, Lemiere C (2006) Outcome of subjects diagnosed with occupational asthma and work-aggravated asthma after removal from exposure. J Occup Environ Med 48: 656–659

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Girard F, Chaboillez S, Cartier A, Cote J, Hargreave FE, Labrecque M, Malo JL, Tarlo SM, Lemiere C (2004) An effective strategy for diagnosing occupational asthma: Use of induced sputum. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 170: 845–850

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Breton CV, Zhang Z, Hunt PR, Pechter E, Davis L (2006) Characteristics of work related asthma: Results from a population based survey. Occup Environ Med 63: 411–415

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Cannon J, Cullinan P, Newman Taylor A (1995) Consequences of occupational asthma. BMJ 311: 602–603

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, MS H2800, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA

    Paul K. Henneberger

  2. Occupational and Environmental Medicine and Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, 135 College Street, 3rd Floor, New Haven, Connecticut, 06510, USA

    Carrie A. Redlich

Authors
  1. Paul K. Henneberger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Carrie A. Redlich
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Public Health Dept. of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Aarhus University, Bartholin Allé 2, 8000, Århus C, Denmark

    Torben Sigsgaard

  2. Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, 3508 TD, Utrecht, Netherlands

    Dick Heederik

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Birkhäuser / Springer Basel

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Henneberger, P.K., Redlich, C.A. (2010). Work-exacerbated asthma. In: Sigsgaard, T., Heederik, D. (eds) Occupational Asthma. Progress in Inflammation Research. Birkhäuser Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7643-8556-9_6

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7643-8556-9_6

  • Publisher Name: Birkhäuser Basel

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-7643-8555-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-7643-8556-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation