Social consequences and quality of life in work-related asthma

Abstract

Work-related asthma can interfere with patient’s daily life, including professional, familial, and social activities. Occupational asthma (OA) is associated with a high rate of prolonged work disruption and loss of income. Available information indicates that work-exacerbated asthma has a negative socio-economic impact to the same extent as OA. The socio-economic outcome seems to be predominantly influenced by professional and socio-demographic factors. Adverse professional and economic consequences are more pronounced when workers have to leave their workplace because of reduced possibilities for accommodation in unexposed jobs within the same company or lack of effective retraining programs. The socio-economic outcome is also affected by the age and the level of education of affected workers. There is growing evidence that work-related asthma is associated with a lower quality of life than asthma unrelated to work.