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Risk factors associated with asthma phenotypes in dental healthcare workers
Author(s) -
Singh Tanusha,
Bello Braimoh,
Jeebhay Mohamed F.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.22041
Subject(s) - medicine , asthma , atopy , spirometry , risk factor
Background Exposure in the dental environment can increase the risk of respiratory disease in dental healthcare workers (HCWs). This study investigated the prevalence of asthma phenotypes in dental HCWs and associated risk factors. Methods A cross‐sectional study of 454 dental HCWs in five dental institutions in South Africa was conducted. A self‐administered questionnaire elicited the health and employment history of subjects. Sera was analyzed for atopic status and latex sensitization. Pre‐ and post‐bronchodilator spirometry was performed. Results The prevalence of atopic asthma was 6.9%, non‐atopic asthma 5.9% and work‐exacerbated asthma (WEA) 4.0%. Atopy and work‐related ocular‐nasal symptoms were strong predictors of WEA (OR: 3.4; 95% CI: 1.07–10.8; OR: 6.7, 95% CI: 2.4–19.1), respectively. Regular use of personal protective equipment (PPE) was associated with a protective affect (OR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.1–0.7) among non‐atopic asthmatics, while glove use and respiratory protection was protective among atopic asthmatics (OR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.17–0.89). Conclusion Identification of risk factors associated with specific asthma phenotypes in dental HCWs can be used to focus preventive strategies for asthmatics. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:90–99, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.