title: Risk factors associated with asthma phenotypes in dental healthcare workers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exposure in the dental environment can increase the risk of respiratory disease in dental healthcare workers (HCWs). This study investigated the prevalence of asthma phenotypes in dental HCWs and associated risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study of 454 dental HCWs in five dental institutions in South Africa was conducted. A self-administered questionnaire elicited the health and employment history of subjects. Sera was analyzed for atopic status and latex sensitization. Pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of atopic asthma was 6.9%, non-atopic asthma 5.9% and work-exacerbated asthma (WEA) 4.0%. Atopy and work-related ocular-nasal symptoms were strong predictors of WEA (OR: 3.4; 95% CI: 1.07-10.8; OR: 6.7, 95% CI: 2.4-19.1), respectively. Regular use of personal protective equipment (PPE) was associated with a protective affect (OR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.1-0.7) among non-atopic asthmatics, while glove use and respiratory protection was protective among atopic asthmatics (OR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.17-0.89).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Identification of risk factors associated with specific asthma phenotypes in dental HCWs can be used to focus preventive strategies for asthmatics.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa. tanusha.singh@nioh.nhls.ac.za
authors.forename: Tanusha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Braimoh
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bello
authors.forename: Mohamed F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Jeebhay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003813:Dentistry; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007840:Latex / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010641:Phenotype; D015995:Prevalence; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D012307:Risk Factors; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007840:Latex; D007073:Immunoglobulin E