The effects of asthma on the quality of life and employment of construction workers

Relatively little is known about the consequences of asthma for patients' w ork ability. In particular, the relationship between asthma and constructio n work has not been studied previously. The aim of this study was to determ ine how asthma affects construction workers' work ability and quality of li fe, and the most important conditions that cause respiratory symptoms in co nstruction work. A questionnaire was sent to all construction workers exami ned in the pulmonary clinic of Tampere University Hospital between 1991 and 1995 who were diagnosed as having 'asthma bronchiale' (n = 104). In additi on, 206 non-asthmatic construction workers were recruited from the register of the local trade union. Altogether, 73% of the asthmatic construction wo rkers and 70% of the controls completed the questionnaire. Of the asthmatic s, 48% were retired, whereas only 24% of the controls were receiving a pens ion. The asthmatics evaluated their work ability and general health as sign ificantly worse than did the controls. The asthmatics had more limitations in their work and everyday life than the controls. Asthmatic construction w orkers had often changed work tasks and also occupation because of their il lness. Building renovation, cleaning and insulation with mineral fibre mate rials were the most common causes of respiratory symptoms in the workplace, among both the asthmatics and the controls. Cold air, physical exercise an d all types of dust and smoke caused the asthmatics to experience symptoms. It was concluded that asthma limits the work and everyday life of construc tion workers. Exposure to dusty, non-sensitizing agents is associated with asthmatic symptoms among construction workers.