Analysis of the clinical state of patients with occupational asthma following cessation of exposure to allergens.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the health state of patients with occupational asthma after cessation of occupational exposure to bakery allergens. A follow-up study of 56 subjects with occupational asthma was carried out. Subjects were examined twice: 1-6 months after removal from occupational exposure and 36 or 48 months later. Clinical state analysis both at diagnosis and re-examination was performed with the use of a questionnaire. Functional spirometric tests and skin prick tests and/or specific serum IgE were carried out during both examinations at points of time at which the subjects regarded their asthma symptoms as least severe. According to the subjective evaluation of the patients' clinical state, some improvement could be noticed 36 or 48 months after removal from work. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and peak respiratory flow (PEF) did not change significantly. Total serum IgE concentration decreased in only two subjects, but the mean value of total IgE level did not significantly differ at the first and second examination after the cessation of occupational exposure. There was no significant difference in the number of positive skin prick tests to common and occupational allergens between the first and second examination. The majority of patients with occupational asthma reporting subjectively on their symptoms indicated an improvement in their clinical state 2-3 years after removal from occupational exposure. The intensity of skin prick tests was not reduced in the studied group. Non-specific bronchial hyper-responsiveness was not reduced in the majority of subjects with occupational asthma at least 2 years after cessation of occupational exposure.
Górski
P
P
Department of Occupational Diseases, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lódź, Poland.
Kołacińska
B
B
Wittczak
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005511:Food Handling; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D011379:Prognosis; D012882:Skin Tests
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E