부산대학교 도서관

Keywords: asthma; epidemiology; occupational allergies; prevention EN asthma epidemiology occupational allergies prevention 1 3 3 07/29/20 20200801 NES 200801 To the Editor In industrialized and developing countries, occupational asthma (OA) is one of the most common chronic occupational respiratory diseases.1,2 Worldwide, especially in developing countries, OA remains under-recognized and poorly diagnosed.2 Based on available resources, diagnostic tests are used in a stepwise approach starting with a detailed medical and occupational history; assessment of nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness (NSBHR); and immunological sensitization with skin-prick tests (SPT) or specific immunoglobulin E to workplace agent when available.3 The second step includes serial assessments of NSBHR and peak expiratory flow at work and off-work, or specific inhalation challenge (SIC). OA was defined as a positive SIC, namely a sustained fall in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV SB 1 sb ) >20% from baseline value after exposure to the suspected occupational agent.5 Multivariable analysis with backward stepwise selection, using Akaike inclusion criterion of I P i -value < .157,6 was performed to develop the clinical interview model, and subsequently, objective tests were added. The model could facilitate the quantification of individuals' probability of OA by specialists who have access to specific sensitization and nonspecific bronchial challenge tests. [Extracted from the article]