OccupationalAsthma

Mr. Abdulaziz R. Alanzi Medical Student, Al-Imam University

Riyadh – Saudi Arabia

Definition

Muscle Tightens

SwellingMuscle

AirwayLining

Asthma is a chronic reversible inflammatory disorder of the airways that causes recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, and cough.

Types

Extrinsic Intrinsic

Work-Related Asthma

Asthma

10% of Adult Onset Asthma

Work-Related Asthma

Occupational Asthma

Work-Aggravated

Asthma

Preexisting Asthma worsened by

workplace exposure

Direct result of work place exposure

Types of Occupational Asthma

Irritant-Induced

Allergic-Induced

(Vast Majority)

Specific Antigen Any irritant

24 hours after

exposure

Latency period after

exposure

PPE often insufficient to

control symptoms

PPE often effective in

preventing episodes

Medical removal usually necessary

Medical removal the last resort

Pathophysiology

Extrinsic Asthma :

oMediated by type I hypersensitivity reactionoInduction of TH2 CD4+ response is fundamental to the pathogenesis to bronchial asthmaoIgE ,mast cells ,and eosinophils are key player in mediating it

Agents

http://www.occupationalasthma.com/occupational_asthma_pageview.aspx?id=97

Figure, Comparison of the percentage of patients exposed to the top five agents in 2006 to those exposed in 2005-2002.

Agents

The top five agents reported in 2006 were;

A B C D E

16% 15.8% 10.5% 9%

A. Metal Working Fluid

B. Isocyanates

C. Cleaning Agents

D. Carpets

7%

E. Flour

Signs & Symptoms

o Wheezingo Coughingo Shortness of breatho Chest tightnesso Rhinorrhea o Nasal congestiono Eye irritation and tearing

Diagnosis

1. Confirm asthma Pulmonary function test (Spirometry)

2. Assess Exposure 3. Assess relation between asthma

and the workplace4. Immunological tests

Management

Limiting exposure to relevant environmental allergens and nonoccupational irritants such as tobacco smoke.

Relievers : short-acting bronchodilators with rapid onset of action that provide acute relief of symptoms. Controllers : drugs with anti-inflammatory and/or a sustained (long-acting) bronchodilator action

Thank Youd0pa@hotmail.co

m@AbdulazizEnazihttp://imamu.academia.edu/AbdulazizAlanzi