Occupational exposure among bakery workers: impact on the occurrence of work-related symptoms as compared with allergic characteristics.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study is to examine the relationship between exposure to occupational allergens, sensitization, and atopy and several outcome variables and the independent associations of these interrelated risk factors to work-related symptoms in particular.


METHODS
Data were collected by questionnaire, skin prick tests, lung function tests, and exposure measurements among 246 workers from 74 bakeries and analyzed using logistic and linear regression analyses.


RESULTS
Exposure levels were associated with respiratory symptoms, sensitization to baker's allergens, and lung function. High exposure and sensitization to common and bakers' allergens were independent risk factors for work-related symptoms. However, allergy determinants performed best in predicting work-related symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Current exposure to occupational allergens is a risk factor for work-related symptoms, but sensitization to occupational allergens and atopy are more adequate and easier obtainable predictors of work-related symptoms.
Droste
Jos
J
Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Antwerp, Belgium. jos.droste@ua.ac.be
Vermeire
Paul
P
Van Sprundel
Marc
M
Bulat
Peter
P
Braeckman
Lutgart
L
Myny
Katrien
K
Vanhoorne
Michel
M
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000032:analysis; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012882:Skin Tests; D014908:Triticum; D000516:alpha-Amylases
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust; D000516:alpha-Amylases