Work-related reactive airways dysfunction syndrome cases from surveillance in selected US states.
The objective was to elaborate the descriptive epidemiology of work-related cases of reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS). Cases of work-related asthma (WRA) were identified in four states in the United States during 1993-1995 as part of the Sentinel Event Notification Systems for Occupational Risks (SENSOR). Information gathered by follow-back interview was used to describe 123 work-related RADS cases and to compare them to 301 other WRA cases whose onset of disease was associated with a known asthma inducer. RADS represented 14% of all new-onset WRA cases identified by the state SENSOR surveillance systems. RADS cases had significant adverse medical and occupational outcomes identified by follow-back interview. In particular, 89% still had breathing problems, 78% had ever sought emergency care and 39% had ever been hospitalized for work-related breathing problems, 54% had applied for worker compensation benefits, and 41% had left the company where they experienced onset of asthma. These values equaled or exceeded the comparable figures for those WRA cases whose onset was attributed to a known inducer. Work-related RADS represents a minority of all WRA cases, but the adverse impact of this condition appears to equal that of other WRA cases.
Henneberger
Paul K
PK
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1095 Willowdale Road M/S H-2800, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA. pkh0@cdc.gov
Derk
Susan J
SJ
Davis
Letitia
L
Tumpowsky
Catharine
C
Reilly
Mary Jo
MJ
Rosenman
Kenneth D
KD
Schill
Donald P
DP
Valiante
David
D
Flattery
Jennifer
J
Harrison
Robert
R
Reinisch
Florence
F
Filios
Margaret S
MS
Tift
Brian
B
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology