This document discusses occupational asthma, beginning with a definition of asthma as a chronic inflammatory airway disorder causing wheezing, breathlessness and coughing. It describes the different types of occupational asthma including extrinsic, intrinsic, work-related and work-aggravated. Extrinsic asthma is mediated by an IgE response while intrinsic is not antigen specific. Common occupational agents that can cause asthma are discussed including metal working fluids, isocyanates, cleaning agents, carpets and flour. Signs and symptoms, diagnosis and management of occupational asthma are also summarized.

1. Occupational
Asthma
 Mr. Abdulaziz R. Alanzi
 Medical Student, Al-Imam University
 Riyadh – Saudi Arabia

2. Definition
Asthma is a chronic reversible inflammatory
disorder of the airways that causes recurrent
episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, and
cough.

3. Types
Asthma
Extrinsic Intrinsic
Work-Related
Asthma

4. Work-
Occupational
Aggravated
Asthma Asthma

5. Allergic-Induced
Irritant-Induced
(Vast Majority)
Specific Antigen Any irritant
24 hours after Latency period after
exposure exposure
PPE often insufficient PPE often effective in
to control symptoms preventing episodes
Medical removal Medical removal
usually necessary the last resort

6. Pathophysiology
 Extrinsic Asthma :
oMediated by type I hypersensitivity reaction
oInduction of TH2 CD4+ response is
fundamental to the pathogenesis to bronchial
asthma
oIgE ,mast cells ,and eosinophils are key player
in mediating it

7. Agents
Figure, Comparison of the percentage of patients exposed to the top five agents in
2006 to those exposed in 2005-2002.
http://www.occupationalasthma.com/occupational_asthma_pageview.aspx?id=97

8. Agents
A. Metal Working Fluid
B. Isocyanates
16% 15.8% 10.5% 9% 7%
C. Cleaning Agents
D. Carpets
A B C D E
E. Flour

9. Signs & Symptoms
o Wheezing
o Coughing
o Shortness of breath
o Chest tightness
o Rhinorrhea
o Nasal congestion
o Eye irritation and tearing

10. Diagnosis
1. Confirm asthma
Pulmonary function test (Spirometry)
2. Assess Exposure
3. Assess relation between asthma and the
workplace
4. Immunological tests

11. Management
 Limiting exposure to relevant environmental
allergens and nonoccupational irritants such
as tobacco smoke.
:
short-acting bronchodilators with rapid onset of
action that provide acute relief of symptoms.
drugs with anti-inflammatory and/or a
sustained (long-acting) bronchodilator action

12. Thank You
d0pa@hotmail.com
@AbdulazizEnazi
http://imamu.academia.edu/AbdulazizAlanzi