Abstract
Work-related asthma is common yet underdiagnosed. It is a significant cause of morbidity and socioeconomic loss. Diagnosis is often difficult, and requires a strong index of suspicion and careful investigation. The Canadian Thoracic Society has endorsed the recent American College of Chest Physicians consensus statement on work-related asthma. The present document illustrates the advised approach to diagnosis and management of work-related asthma using case-based examples of occupational asthma and work-exacerbated asthma. The main statements of advice from the American College of Chest Physicians consensus statement are reproduced with permission.
Highlights
Asthma can be caused by work or aggravated by work
A new consensus statement on work-related asthma has been developed by a panel for the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) [5] and received endorsement from the Canadian Thoracic Society
Key point: There can be a poor socioeconomic outcome from work-related asthma and there is a need for the physician to discuss this – in addition to medical outcomes – with patients who have occupational asthma and work-exacerbated asthma
Summary
Metal salts (eg, platinum Industrial settings salts) across Canada. In the province of Quebec, the performance of specific inhalation challenges is mandatory in the vast majority of cases to prove the diagnosis of occupational asthma. Patients with occupational asthma should be removed from further exposure to the work sensitizer, if possible, only after confirmation of the diagnosis. Identification of other workers with occupational asthma, and preventive measures in the workplace may be initiated by notifying appropriate authorities (eg, a ministry of labour or when the patient consents, notifying a company physician). Key point: The best medical outcome for sensitizer-induced occupational asthma occurs with an early, accurate diagnosis and removal from further exposure to the causative agent. Key point: There can be a poor socioeconomic outcome from work-related asthma and there is a need for the physician to discuss this – in addition to medical outcomes – with patients who have occupational asthma and work-exacerbated asthma
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