Prevention of Work-related Asthma: Study Search Results

Study Details

Prevention Level	Secondary
Author	Di Giampaolo L
Study Year	2012
Country	Italy
Molecular Weight of Agent	Both
Category	Various
Agent	Latex, manzonia wood, red cedar, cat epithelium, wheat flour
Occupation	N/A
Outcome/Diagnosis	Pulmonary function in allergic occupational asthma (OA) workers
Activity Intervention	Exposure cessation or reduction (12 years follow up)
Participation Rate	58 subjects participated in the study, all with allergic OA
Intervention Effectiveness	30 workers with complete cessation of exposure to the sensitizing allergens (group A): • The median FEV1/h3 x hr decline was significantly greater than predicted value (P<0.05) • The final FEV1 loss was 332.5 ± 108ml 28 workers with reduction in exposure to the sensitizing allergens (group B): • The median FEV1/h3 x hr decline was significantly greater than predicted value (P<0.03) • The FEV1/h3 x hr decline was significantly greater in ex-smoker than non-smoker patients (P<0.03) • There was a significant difference in FEV1/h3/y decay slopes between FEV1 variability >15% and <15% as determined in the first year of observation • The final FEV1 loss was 512.5 ± 180ml There was a significant difference in FEV1 loss between two groups after 4 years from cessation of the exposure. The authors concluded that cessation of workplace allergen exposure was more effective than reduction in limiting pulmonary function decline in workers with OA