Health-related quality of life among adults with work-related asthma in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to examine health-related quality of life among adults with work-related asthma.


METHODS
We analyzed 2006-2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Asthma Call-back Survey data for ever-employed adults with current asthma from 38 states and District of Columbia. Individuals with work-related asthma had been told by a doctor or other health professional that their asthma was related to any job they ever had. Health-related quality of life indicators included poor self-rated health, impaired physical health, impaired mental health, and activity limitation. We calculated prevalence ratios (PRs) adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, employment, and health insurance.


RESULTS
Of ever-employed adults with current asthma, an estimated 9.0% had work-related asthma, 26.9 % had poor self-rated health, 20.6% had impaired physical health, 18.2% had impaired mental health, and 10.2% had activity limitation. Individuals with work-related asthma were significantly more likely than those with non-work-related asthma to have poor self-rated health [PR, 1.45; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.31-1.60], impaired physical health (PR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.42-1.80), impaired mental health (PR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.34-1.80), and activity limitation (PR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.81-2.56).


CONCLUSIONS
Future research should examine opportunities to improve health-related quality of life among individuals with work-related asthma.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1095 Willowdale Rd., MS HG-900, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA. ipb8@cdc.gov
Gretchen E
GE
Knoeller
Jacek M
JM
Mazurek
Jeanne E
JE
Moorman
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D059366:Asthma, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D057566:Self Report; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult