[Is the severity of occupational asthma related to the molecular weight of the allergen?].
BACKGROUND
The aim of the study was to compare the characteristics of occupational asthma (OA) resulting from sensitisation to allergens of high (HMW) or low (LMW) molecular weight.


METHODS
All new cases of allergic OA seen in an occupational health department between January 2001 and March 2004 were included. The patients underwent a standardised assessment including a questionnaire, skin tests, spirometry and measurement of non-specific bronchial reactivity. They were divided into 2 groups depending on the molecular weight of the causal agent (groups HMW and LMW).


RESULTS
77 patients were included, 30 in the HMW group and 47 in the LMW group. No significant difference in severity at the time of diagnosis was found between the two groups (symptoms, spirometry, PD20 methacholine) but the time between the first symptoms and diagnosis was longer in the HMW group (7.1 +/- 7.8 years against 3.2 +/- 4.1 years, p = 0.01). Atopy was more common in the HMW group (57% vs. 27%, p = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The severity of OA at the time of diagnosis does not appear to be influenced by the molecular weight of the causal agent.
Descatha
A
A
Unité de pathologie professionnelle, de santé au travail et d'insertion, Hôpital Raymond. Poincaré - AP-HP, Garches, France. alexis.descatha@rpc.aphp.fr
Le Guillou
F
F
Cohen-Jonathan
A-M
AM
Chinet
T
T
Ameille
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D004391:Dust; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D009790:Occupations; D010316:Particle Size; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D000485:Allergens; D004391:Dust