[Occupational asthma in the Tunisian central region: etiologies and professional status].
OBJECTIVE
To study the etiologies of occupational asthma and determine its impact on the professional status of asthmatic subjects.


METHODS
The authors carried out a descriptive study on all of the cases of asthma recognized as an occupational disease and declared in the private sector over nine years (2000-2008) in the Tunisian central region.


RESULTS
Cases (219) of occupational asthma were listed, accounting for 16.8% of all of the occupational diseases recognized during the period studied. Occupational asthma concerned young adults (40±8.2 years), with a predominance of women (67.7%). The textile sector dominated (74.9%). The majority of the employees were exposed to high molecular weight allergens (82.3%) and cotton dust was the principal offending agent (75.3%). Involuntary unemployment was observed in about half of the cases (46.6%) and was associated with an age lower or equal to 35 years (p = 0.01) and under 15 years of professional seniority (p=0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Occupational asthma in the Tunisian central region prevails in the textile sector thereby justifying the reinforcement of preventive measures in this branch of industry.
Service de médecine du travail et pathologies professionnelles, CHU F. Hached, avenue Ibn El Jazzar, 4000 Sousse, Tunisia. chattisouhaiel@yahoo.fr
S
S
Chatti
M
M
Maoua
H
H
Rhif
M
M
Dahmoul
A
A
Abbassi
A J
AJ
Mlaouah
H
H
Hadj Salah
F
F
Debbabi
N
N
Mrizak
D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016573:Agrochemicals / Q000009:adverse effects; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D032561:Cotton Fiber; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013783:Textile Industry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014934:Wood; D055815:Young Adult
D016573:Agrochemicals