Socioeconomic outcomes in work-exacerbated asthma

• Published in: Current opinion in allergy and clinical immunology Vol. 7; no. 3; p. 236
• Main Authors: Vandenplas, Olivier, Henneberger, Paul K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.06.2007
• Subjects: Asthma - economics; Asthma - psychology; Cost of Illness; Employment; Health Care Costs; Humans; Income; Occupational Diseases - economics; Occupational Diseases - psychology; Quality of Life; Socioeconomic Factors
• ISSN: 1528-4050
• DOI: 10.1097/aci.0b013e3280b10d68

Work-exacerbated asthma has received little attention until recent years, although it is likely that the condition has a considerable societal impact because of its high prevalence. The purpose of this review is to provide a critical analysis of recently published data pertaining to the socioeconomic outcomes of work-exacerbated asthma. Recent data have confirmed that work-exacerbated asthma is associated with a similar impact on work productivity and earning capacity as immunologically mediated occupational asthma. The specific impact of work-exacerbated asthma on these outcomes should be further distinguished from the consequences of asthma unrelated to work. There is some suggestion that work-exacerbated asthma might be associated with higher rates of symptoms and exacerbations when compared with asthma unrelated to work. The impact of work-exacerbated asthma in terms of disease severity and healthcare utilization should therefore be further characterized. The socioeconomic impact of work-exacerbated asthma should be taken into account in the management of this common, although often underestimated, condition. In addition, evaluating the economic burden of work-exacerbated asthma and its various components is a key step in implementing cost-effective prevention policies.