title: [Occupational asthma. Occurrence, diagnosis, course and prevention].
abstract: Occupational asthma is defined as variable air flow obstruction caused by inhalation of agents at work. The condition is increasingly recognized as a cause of work-related respiratory disease, and in Norway is estimated to account for approximately 20% of the cases of asthma among adults exposed to dust or gases. These figures are likely to increase when more inhalable reactive chemicals are introduced at places of work. A careful and detailed history, immunological tests, serial measurements of peak expiratory flow (PEF) and demonstration of increased non-specific bronchial reactivity are useful tools for diagnosing occupational asthma. Accurate diagnosis is important because of the economic consequences of the label "occupational disease", and because early recognition and relocation to work not involving exposure to such chemicals might improve the prognosis of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Lungeavdelingen Rikshospitalet, Oslo.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kongerud
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Naalsund
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D000485:Allergens
vernacular_title: Yrkesrelatert astma. Forekomst, diagnostikk, forløp og forebyggelse.