The association between occupation and asthma in general medical practice

Background: In general practice settings, the proportion of adult asthma at tributable to occupational factors is not known, Objective: The goal of this study was to estimate the proportion of adult a sthma cases that can be attributed to occupational factors initiating new d isease onset and exacerbating preexisting disease, Methods: We pet-formed a cross-sectional analysis of interview data for 150 adults with asthma recruited from a random sample of family practice speci alists. We ascertained the asthma and work histories of the subjects and es timated the proportion with likely work-initiated asthma and work-related a sthma recrudescence. Results: Seventy-four subjects (49%) reported adult-onset asthma while empl oyed; an additional 25 (17%) reported recrudescence of previously quiescent childhood-onset asthma during employment. Of those with new-onset asthma w hile employed, 15 (10% of the study group; 95% confidence interval, 5 to 15 %) were employed in occupations at increased risk of occupational asthma in itiation on the basis of an independent job scoring matrix, Of those with a sthma recrudescence in adulthood, seven (5% of the study group; 95% confide nce interval, 2 to 8%) were employed in occupations at increased risk of ex posures aggravating asthma, Conclusions: Among adults with asthma treated in general practice settings, > 1 in 10 patients has a work history strongly suggestive of a potential r elationship between exposure and disease.