title: Work-exacerbated asthma.
abstract: A task force of the American Thoracic Society has defined work-exacerbated asthma (WEA) as the worsening of asthma caused by conditions at work. Occupational asthma (OA) is asthma that is initiated by occupational exposures in people without prior asthma. In contrast, WEA is asthma (already present or coincident [new onset]) that is worsened because of conditions at work. This difference is critical because asthma is a common disease (present in approximately 7% of working adults). Among working adults with asthma, approximately 20% may have WEA. WEA has potential implications regarding asthma morbidity, health care use, and the economy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Allergy Section, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Northport, NY 11768, USA. anthony.szema@stonybrookmedicine.edu
authors.forename: Anthony M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Szema
mesh_terms: D059366:Asthma, Occupational / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D009314:National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, U.S.; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017751:Safety Management; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances