Characteristics of Patients With Work-Related Asthma Seen in the New York State Occupational Health Clinics

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to characterize the work-related asthma population seen by the New York State Occupational Health Clinic Network (OHCN) to determine which industries, occupations, and causal agents are associated with work-related asthma in New York State (NYS). METHODS: The OHCN patient database was analyzed to identify those patients with a diagnosis of work-related asthma and medical charts were then abstracted for data on demographics, clinical history, disease severity, industry, occupation, and putative agent. RESULTS: The OHCN patients with work-related asthma were most commonly employed in the service and manufacturing industries. Common occupations included teachers, farm operators/managers, and construction trades. The most frequently reported putative agents associated with work-related asthma were dust, indoor air, mold, and solvents. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest the potential importance of prevention of workplace exposure in reducing adult asthma in NYS.