No abstract available.
Asthma, Occupational*

No abstract available.
Asthma, Occupational*

Bronchial asthma causes great morbidity and mortality worldwide. Certain occupations especially those exposed to known triggers of asthma such as animal fur, dusts or solvents may trigger asthma attacks in a previously undiagnosed individual or worsen its’ control in a known asthmatic. This is especially true for adult-onset asthma. This may in turn the health of the affected workers and affect their productivity. Affected workers may be given job reassignment and eligible for medical compensation from Social Security Organisation (SOSCO). This case report will look at how two individuals in very distinct occupation were diagnosed with suspected occupational asthma
Occupational asthma

BACKGROUND: Toluene diisocyanate(TDI) is a leading cause of occupational asthma. However, the pathogenesis of TDI-induced asthma is largely unknown because there is no suitable animal model. METHODS: We developed a murine model of TDI-induced asthma by performing two sensitization with 3% TDI and one challenge with 1% TDI using ultrasonic nebulization. RESULTS: Similar to occupational asthma in humans, murine TDI-induced asthma includes findings 1) increased inflammatory cells, including neutrophils and eosinophils, 2) histologic changes, including infiltration of inflammatory cells around bronchioles, thickened airway epithelium, contraction of bronchioles, and accumulation of mucus and debris in the bronchioles, 3) increased MMP-9 activity in inflammatory cells in the airway lumen, 4) airway hyperresponsiveness. Administration of an MMP inhibitor, MMPI-I, remarkably reduced all these pathophysiological findings. CONCLUSION: Therefore, we conclude that TDI-induced occupational asthma is associated with the induction of MMP-9 in inflammatory cells, and the inhibition of MMP-9 may be a good therapeutic strategy.
Humans ; Animals ; Asthma, Occupational

No abstract available.
Asthma, Occupational* ; Paint* ; Urethane*

Asthma, Occupational ; diagnosis ; Humans

We experienced two cases of occupational asthma induced by Elk dander in Elk-feeders and confirmed these cases by the bronchial provocation test with Elk dander. Both of them showed dual asthmatic response. They also showed positive reaction to the skin prick test with EIK dander. Now one of them has no asthmatic symptoms at all after complete avoidnce of EIK dander.
Asthma, Occupational* ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Dander ; Skin

Asthma, Occupational ; therapy ; Drainage ; methods ; Humans ; Sputum

OBJECTIVES: Isocyanate-induced asthma is the most prevalent occupational asthma in Korea. The main purpose of this study was to estimate the etiologic fraction of isocyanate-related asthma in isocyanateexposed (EFe) workers and to measure the magnitude of preventable occupational asthma. METHODS: Asthma admissions from 2000 to 2005 were analyzed in a cohort containing 10,861 isocyanate-exposed workers and 324,618 isocyanate non-exposed workers who underwent the specialized health examination from January, 2000 to December, 2004. The cohorts of Isocyanate and noise-exposed workers were established using the same data base of Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA). Asthma admissions were investigated by matching the National Health Insurance Claim Data (NHICD). The standardized rate ratio (SRR) of admission was estimated by Poisson regression method to allow unbiased comparisons across exposure and other variables such as age and sex. The etiologic fraction for the isocyanate-exposed (EFe) workers was calculated using this formula (Efe=SRR-1/SRR). RESULTS: Twenty-eight asthma admissions among the isocyanate-exposed workers and 321 non-exposed workers were observed during 2000~2005. The crude admission rate was 57.2 per 100,000 person-years for the isocyanate-exposed workers and 25.0 for the noise-exposed workers. Compared to the noiseexposed workers, the isocyante-exposed workers had significantly higher asthma admission (SRR=2.80 95%CI=1.89~4.14). The etiologic fraction for the isocyanate-exposed (EFe) workers was 64%. CONCLUSIONS: This study was limited by the restriction to admission cases and the short follow-up periods. Any difference of admission accessibility between the isocyanate-exposed and non-exposed workers will lead to either over- or under-estimation of the biased etiologic fraction for the isocyanateexposed workers. The etiologic fraction for the isocyanate-exposed workers was 64% indicated that 64% of the asthma cases occurred in the isocyanate-exposed workers are preventable through occupational health management.
Asthma* ; Asthma, Occupational ; Bias (Epidemiology) ; Cohort Studies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Korea ; National Health Programs ; Occupational Health

Occupational lung disease (OLD) is a group of lung diseases caused and/or aggravated by organic and inorganic inhaled dust, fumes, and mist. OLD can develop under various occupational situations. Therefore, occupational history should be considered when evaluating respiratory symptoms. Once OLD is developed, it may not be treated and may even progress after exposure to the causative agents has stopped. The best ways to treat OLD are prevention and early detection by controlling the working environment and conducting regular surveillance of workers. Common OLDs in Korea are coal worker's pneumoconiosis, asbestos-related diseases, and occupational asthma. Recent aspects of these common OLDs in Korea will be described based on recently published studies.
Anthracosis ; Asbestosis ; Asthma ; Asthma, Occupational ; Dust ; Korea ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Occupational Diseases ; Pneumoconiosis