Documents allergic asthma 18 results

In a questionnaire survey of 3484 hairdressers and a reference group of 3357 shop personnel in Finland, the prevalence of asthma among the hairdressers was 5.6% in 1980 and 10.1% in 1995; the prevalence of chronic bronchitis was 3.9% in 1980 and 5.6% in 1995. The relative risk for developing asthma and chronic bronchitis among hairdressers was almost twice that of the reference group in 1980, and remained similar in 1995. Hairdressers are at a higher risk of developing asthma as a result of occupational exposure.

"Cette fiche d'allergologie-pneumologie professionnelle annule et remplace l'ancienne fiche du même nom (TR 17). Elle fait le point sur les sulfites, sels de l'anhydride sulfureux (SO2), qui sont utilisés dans de nombreux secteurs d'activité, notamment pour leurs propriétés antiseptiques et anti-oxydantes. Si l'intolérance aux sulfites, notamment chez les sujets asthmatiques, est bien connue lors de l'ingestion d'aliments ou de boissons, ou lors de l'administration de produits pharmaceutiques en contenant, seuls quelques cas d'asthme induit par l'usage professionnel de sulfites ont été rapportés dans la littérature ces 25 dernières années. D'un point de vue physiopathologique, plusieurs hypothèses ont été proposées pour expliquer la genèse ou l'aggravation d'un asthme par les sulfites, mais aucune ne semble pouvoir expliquer à elle seule la diversité des manifestations cliniques observées, ni leur variabilité en terme de sévérité ou de sensibilité individuelle. Les éléments anamnestiques plaident parfois pour une origine purement irritative lorsque la manipulation de solutions de sulfites provoque des dégagements importants de SO2 dans l'environnement de travail. Dans d'autres cas, l'asthme apparaît après un long temps de latence et en dehors de toute exposition accidentelle, ce qui serait plutôt en faveur d'un mécanisme immuno-allergique. Le diagnostic étiologique repose sur l'histoire médicale, la mise en évidence d'une rythmicité professionnelle et, si possible, sur un test d'exposition réaliste positif. La prévention doit en particulier s'attacher à éviter la création de conditions favorables à la libération atmosphérique de fortes quantités de SO2."

"Objective: to define threshold limit values and legally binding occupational exposure limits. Studies based on detailed descriptions and/or measurements of airborne allergenic dust, total allergens, or even key allergens were selected. Prevalences of IgE-mediated sensitization and occupational asthma are related to the aeroallergen load in workplaces. Data to set threshold limit values for flour, latex, a-amylase, and isocyanates are already sufficiently available. To optimize primary prevention in workplaces,health-based occupational exposure limits should be set for major occupational allergens."

Background Occupational respiratory allergy to green coffee beans (GCB) and to castor beans (CB) was studied in 112 workers in a modern coffee manufacturing plant of Trieste (Italy), where the process is completely automatic, the environmental conditions are good and where exposure to CB can be considered absent because since 1970, only new sacks have been used for coffee transportation. Methods All subjects were interviewed by a trained doctor using a questionnaire to investigate allergic symptoms and predisposing factors. Sensitization to GCB and to common allergens (pollens, molds, house dust mites) were evaluated by the skin-prick test. The serum of subjects with a positive skin-prick test to CGB or who had symptoms at work was tested for specific IgE (RAST) for GCB and CB. Lung function was evaluated by a Ponigraph spirometer. Results Sensitization to GCB was found in 25.8% of green coffee workers (31 cases), in 2.7% of roasted coffee workers (37 cases) and in 4.5% of the clerks (44 cases), p < 0.01. The evaluation of IgE specific for CB gave positive results only in 3 of 10 subjects sensitized to GCB. A total of 20% of GCB workers (6 cases) complained of work-related respiratory symptoms (asthma and/or rhinitis) compared with only one subject in the roasted coffee group and one in the control group (p < 0.01). Asthma was reported by 2/31 of the green coffee workers and by 1/44 of roasted coffee workers. Conclusions There was a significant correlation between sensitization to GCB and work related symptoms (p < 0.01), common allergic symptoms (p < 0.05) and atopy by prick test (<0.01). These results point to the need to evaluate atopic status in workers and identify the most susceptible subjects, with the aim of informing them of their at-risk status and monitoring their progress. This makes it possible to diagnose sooner those symptoms possibly indicative of a work-related disease, because even in presence of good environmental conditions and even when symptoms are mild, it is almost always the atopic subjects who are affected.