Clinical and Functional Outcomes of Sensitizer-Induced Asthma in Bakers and Cotton Workers after Removal from Exposure

Introduction: Sensitizer-induced occupational asthma (OA) has significant health and socioeconomic outcomes in affected subjects. Objective: To evaluate clinical and functional outcomes of sensitizer-induced OA in bakers and cotton workers three to five years after cessation of exposure to the offending workplace agent. Methods: We studied 16 patients with sensitizer-induced OA (10 bakers and 6 textile workers), eight males and eight females, aged 32 to 48 years. All study subjects completed a questionnaire and underwent spirometric measurements and metacholine challenge, in the same manner as at the time of diagnosis. The findings obtained were compared with findings registered at the time of diagnosis. Results: We found significantly lower prevalence of patients with respiratory symptoms in the previous 12 months after the mentioned period of removal from exposure than their prevalence at the time of diagnosis (100% vs. 68.7%; P = 0.014). In regard to nasal symptoms, their prevalence at the time of the study was lower than at the time of diagnosis but statistical significance was not reached (62.5% vs. 37.5%; P = 0.107). The values of spirometric parameters at the time of the study were similar to their values at the time of diagnosis. The level of the non-specific bronchial hyper responsiveness (NSBHR) at the time of the study was improved in all study subjects. The mean value of the provocative concentration 20 (PC 20) at the time of the study was significantly higher than its mean value registered at the time of diagnosis (2.9 vs. 2.1;P = 0.032). However, none subject normalized his/her NSBHR. Conclusions: Our findings indicate resolution of the respiratory and nasal symptoms in a part of the study subjects. In addition, all study subjects are left with their NSBHR, although all of them improve.