title: Asthma control and productivity loss in those with work-related asthma: A population-based study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In Canada, asthma is the third leading cause of work loss, yet little is known about the associated productivity loss. The goal of this study was to look at the relationship between asthma control and productivity loss, particularly contrasting those with work-related asthma (WRA) and non-work-related asthma (NWRA).
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based random sample of adults with asthma in British Columbia, Canada, was prospectively recruited. Asthma control was graded according to Global Initiative for Asthma classification, while productivity loss and presence of WRA was assessed using questionnaires. Ordinal regression models were then used to associate WRA with asthma control. Generalized linear models were applied to estimate the average productivity loss associated with different levels of asthma control among those with WRA and NWRA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 300 employed adults. Sixty (20%) had WRA. The odds of being controlled were significantly lower in those with WRA (OR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.56; P < 0.01). Those with WRA and uncontrolled asthma had a significant difference in productivity loss due to presenteeism ($659.1 [95% CI: 12.9, 1581.5; P = 0.04]), but not absenteeism ($88.7 [95% CI: -86.5, 279.6; P = 0.35]), when compared to those with NWRA and uncontrolled asthma. There was no significant difference when a similar comparison was made for those with controlled or partially controlled asthma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  WRA is associated with worse asthma control and increased productivity loss. Presenteeism makes a significant contribution to productivity loss and should be considered when evaluating the overall economic burden of asthma, particularly WRA.
authors: a Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia , Vancouver , Canada.
authors: Alyson
authors: A
authors: Wong
authors: b Institute for Heart and Lung Health (IHLH), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia , Vancouver , Canada.
authors: Hamid
authors: H
authors: Tavakoli
authors: b Institute for Heart and Lung Health (IHLH), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia , Vancouver , Canada.|c Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation, Vancouver Coastal Health Institute, University of British Columbia , Vancouver , Canada.
authors: Mohsen
authors: M
authors: Sadatsafavi
authors: b Institute for Heart and Lung Health (IHLH), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia , Vancouver , Canada.|d Respiratory Medicine Division, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia , Vancouver , Canada.
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Carlsten
authors: b Institute for Heart and Lung Health (IHLH), Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia , Vancouver , Canada.|c Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation, Vancouver Coastal Health Institute, University of British Columbia , Vancouver , Canada.|d Respiratory Medicine Division, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia , Vancouver , Canada.
authors: J Mark
authors: JM
authors: FitzGerald
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004526:Efficiency; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017059:Models, Econometric; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
keywords: Epidemiology; economics; work-related asthma