Occupational Allergic Airway Disease

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to review recent advances on causal agents, diagnosis and management of occupational allergic airway diseases. Food-derived products are a major cause of occupational asthma (OA) and occupational rhinitis (OR), and flour and seafood are the most important allergen sources. In recent years, farmers, cleaners, veterinarians, swimming pool workers and waste workers have been shown as novel categories at higher risk. Molecular diagnosis may greatly improve the diagnostic workup of allergic OA and OR. The use of immunotherapy and biologics may ameliorate the treatment of allergic OA. Occupational allergies are a burden for society and surveillance of exposed workers may identify new categories at risk. Cessation of exposure is the best treatment option for OA and OR. An accurate environmental control is needed to reduce asthma exacerbations in work-exacerbated asthma. The management of occupational allergic airway diseases should include a follow-up programme providing close collaboration between health care providers and patients, and ad hoc educational tools aimed at ameliorating patient’s knowledge should be developed.