Late Breaking Abstract - Implementation of universal valid methodology in the diagnosis of occupational asthma(Ege University Translational Pulmonology Research Group [EgeTPAG

Abstract

Widespread belief from developing countries is the implementation of Specific Inhalation Challenge Tests (SICTs)are not quite feasible and can be risky in lower healthcare facilities. The work of setting up a SICTs-Lab started with scientific support of EgeTPAG-Advisory Board Members from FIOH in 2014.A multidisciplinary structure was constituted by Pulmonary/Allergy-immunology/PublicHealth/ Chemisty/Biology to implement of methodology. With Turkey’s first Occupational Fellowship Program, SICTs were officially started in spring 2016. Now, in spring 2017 we are presenting our first year’s very recent data. Among 41 patients who were referred to us, five patients (%12.19) diagnosed as OA with support of SICTs. Two painters, two bakers, one carpenter had work-related dyspnea and history of wheezing during worktimes and common shared features of them were having inconsistent asthma findings. Following negative placebo challenge tests, patients were exposed to their culprit agent in a specifically manufactured challenge cabin in Izmir, as faithful the original one in Helsinki. Ambient levels of particulate matter concentrations in the cabin were continuously monitored and kept under permitted exposure limits.FEV 1 &PEF monitoring kept continue for 8-hours after SICT and the data recorded to OASYS computer program. In the first year of their establishment SICTs have been very helpful either exclude or confirmation of diagnosis of OA. Unlike the common belief of those who hesitate to apply them, they were very safe and economically reasonable. The implementation to a developing country was not easy, but possible with right team and scientific support.