A workers' compensation claim population for occupational asthma. Comparison of subgroups.
Chest
; 107(3): 634-41, 1995 Mar.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-7874929
ABSTRACT
STUDY OBJECTIVE:
(1) To compare patients with claims submitted to the Ontario Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) for occupational asthma, in relation to the WCB decisions reached of occupational asthma (OA); aggravation of asthma from irritant exposures (AA); unrelated asthma; no asthma; and (2) to assess determinants of outcome of WCB accepted claims at permanent disability assessments.DESIGN:
A retrospective review of 609 claims submitted to the WCB 1984 to 1988.RESULTS:
The WCB decision reached was OA in 39% of claims, mostly attributed to isocyanates (57% of these). A further 39% were accepted for AA. Exposure to a known sensitizer occurred in 91% with OA and to an irritant in 67% with AA. Forty percent with AA were attributed to a spill or accidental exposure and 68% had preceding asthma. Those with AA were more likely to have clearing of symptoms by the time of their main assessment (43% vs 20% with OA) and were more likely to have remained in the same work (35% vs 20% with OA). Of 200 OA accepted claims reviewed at a mean of 1.9 years later, clearing of asthma occurred in 19% and milder asthma in 47%. Outcome was best with early diagnosis (p < 0.05), and milder impairment of pulmonary function at initial assessment (p < 0.05).CONCLUSIONS:
Patients with asthma induced by a workplace sensitizer demonstrate some differences from those related to workplace irritants. Accurate categorization and early removal of those with OA offers the best prognosis.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Asma
/
Indenização aos Trabalhadores
/
Doenças Profissionais
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Screening_studies
Limite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Chest
Ano de publicação:
1995
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Canadá