Assessing the health impact of interventions for baker’s allergy and asthma in supermarket bakeries: a group randomised trial

Abstract

To assess the impact of an intervention for baker's allergy and asthma in supermarket bakeries. A group randomised trial conducted in 31 bakeries (n = 337 bakers) that were randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups (n = 244 bakers) and a control group (n = 93 bakers). Health data collected prior to and 1-year after the intervention included information obtained from an ECRHS questionnaire; tests for atopy and serum-specific IgE to cereal flours; fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). Data from the two intervention groups were combined to form one intervention group for purposes of the statistical analysis. At 1 year of follow-up, the incidence and level of decline of work-related ocular-nasal and chest symptoms, sensitisation status and elevated FeNO (FeNO > 25ppb) was similar in both intervention and control groups. The mean FeNO difference was also similar across both groups (2.2ppb vs 1.7ppb, p = 0.86). In those with FeNO > 25ppb at baseline, the decline was greater in the intervention compared to control group (16.9ppb vs 7.7ppb, p = 0.24). Multivariate logistic regression models (adjusting for smoking, baseline sensitisation to cereal flour, baseline FeNO > 25ppb) did not demonstrate an appreciable FeNO decline (≥ 10%) in the intervention compared to control group. However, stratification by the presence of work-related ocular-nasal symptoms in bakers at baseline demonstrated a significant FeNO decline (≥ 10%) in the intervention compared to the control group (OR 3.73, CI 1.22-11.42). This study demonstrates some evidence of an intervention effect on FeNO 1 year after an intervention, particularly in bakers with work-related ocular-nasal symptoms.