Lantto, Jussi MD; Suojalehto, Hille MD, PhD; Vasankari, Tuula MD, PHD; Karvala, Kirsi MD, PhD; Lindström, Irmeli MD, PhD. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine ():10.1097/JOM.0000000000003120
Abstract
Objective
To assess the long-term physical condition, health-related quality of life, employment, and work ability of irritant-induced asthma (IIA) patients.
Methods
Forty-three IIA patients completed a follow-up questionnaire a median of eight (interquartile range 4-11) years after asthma diagnosis. We compared their results with those of 43 low-molecular-weight (LMW) sensitizer-induced occupational asthma (OA) patients and those of 206 adult-onset asthmatics in the general population.
Results
Of the IIA patients, 40% reported depressive symptoms. Of the <65-year-olds, 56% were employed, of whom 39% assessed their work ability as limited. IIA patients had more difficulty climbing several flights of stairs than LMW-induced OA patients (70% vs. 47%, OR 4.83 95%CI 1.51-15.47). Most of the IIA patients’ outcomes were inferior to those of the adult-onset asthmatics in the general population.
Conclusion
IIA prognosis appeared poor but resembled that of LMW-induced OA.