Occupational asthma: A review

Occupational asthma is the most common form of occupational lung disease in the developed world at the present time. In this review, the epidemiology, pathogenesis/mechanisms, clinical presentations, management, and preventio n of occupational asthma are discussed. The population attributable risk of asthma due to occupational exposures is considerable. Current understandin g of the mechanisms by which many agents cause occupational asthma is limit ed. especially for low-molecular-weight sensitizers and irritants. The diag nosis of occupational asthma is generally established on the basis of a sug gestive history of a temporal association between exposure and the onset of symptoms and objective evidence that these symptoms are related to airflow limitation. Early diagnosis, elimination of exposure to the responsible ag ent, and early use of inhaled steroids may play important roles in the prev ention of long-term persistence of asthma. Persistent occupational asthma i s often associated with substantial disability and consequent impacts on in come and quality of life. Prevention of new cases is the best approach to r educing the burden of asthma attributable to occupational exposures. Future research needs are identified.