title: Work-related asthma: diagnosis and prognosis of immunological occupational asthma and work-exacerbated asthma.
abstract: The incidence and prevalence of asthma are increasing. One reason for this trend is the rise in adult-onset asthma, especially occupational asthma, which is 1 of the 2 forms of work-related asthma. Occupational asthma is defined as asthma caused by agents that are present exclusively in the workplace. The presence of pre-existing asthma does not rule out the possibility of developing occupational asthma. A distinction has traditionally been made between immunological occupational asthma (whether IgE-mediated or not) and nonimmunological occupational asthma caused by irritants, the most characteristic example of which is reactive airway dysfunction syndrome. The other form of work-related asthma is known as work-exacerbated asthma, which affects persons with pre-existing or concurrent asthma that is worsened by work-related factors. It is important to differentiate between the 2 entities because their treatment, prognosis, and medical and social repercussions can differ widely. In this review, we discuss diagnostic methods, treatment, and avoidance/nonavoidance of the antigen in immunological occupational asthma and work-exacerbated asthma. Key words: Specific inhalation challenge. Peak expiratory flow. Workplace. Irritants.
authors: X
authors: X
authors: Muñoz
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Cruz
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Bustamante
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Lopez-Campos
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Barreiro
mesh_terms: D059366:Asthma, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011379:Prognosis; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D017132:Workplace