REVIEW   

Minerva Medica 2017 June;108(3):229-38

DOI: 10.23736/S0026-4806.16.04972-7

Copyright © 2016 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Management and prevention of occupational asthma

Susan M. TARLO ^{1, 2, 3} ✉

¹ Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada; ² St Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; ³ Department of Medicine, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

Occupational asthma is a potential preventable form of asthma. This review of diagnosis, management and prevention focuses mainly on publications from the past three years. Early suspicion of the diagnosis is essential for a timely diagnosis and management and the possibility may first be raised by the patient or may need to be elicited by careful history by the health care provider. Objective diagnostic steps are needed, as have been detailed in consensus statements and guidelines. A combination of tests is often needed for diagnosis and these are most easily obtained while the patient is still employed. Management includes consideration of safe future workplace accommodation and of preventive measures for the patient and for other workers.

KEY WORDS: Occupational asthma - Diagnosis - Disease management - Prevention and control