Occupational Exposure and New-Onset Asthma in the Population-Based Telemark Study: A 5-Year Follow-Up

Details

• Personal Author:
  Abrahamsen R ; Fell AKM ; Henneberger, Paul K. ; Jaoiun K ; Klepaker G ; Kongerud J ; Torén, Kjell ; Wagstaff A ; Zivadinovic N
• Description:
  Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the incidence of asthma and assess the association between job exposure matrix (N-JEM) assigned occupational exposure, self-reported occupational exposure to vapour, gas, dust and fumes (VGDF), mould, damages from moisture and cold, and new-onset asthma. We also aimed to assess the corresponding population attributable fraction (PAF) for ever exposure to VGDF. Design: Longitudinal population-based respiratory health study. Setting: Responders from the baseline Telemark Study in south-eastern Norway were followed up from 2013 to 2018. Participants: 7120 participants, aged 16-55, were followed during a 5-year period. Main outcome measures: New-onset asthma and its association with self-reported occupational exposure to VGDF, data from the N-JEM and self-reported workplace conditions were assessed using logistic regression adjusted for gender, age, smoking and body mass index. The PAF was calculated using the PUNAF command in STATA. Results: There were 266 (3.7%) cases of new-onset asthma and an incidence density of 7.5 cases per 1000 person-years. A statistically significant association was found for ever exposed to VGDF with an OR of 1.49 (95% CI 1.15 to 1.94), weekly OR 2.00 (95% CI 1.29 to 3.11) and daily OR 2.46 (95% CI 1.39 to 4.35) exposure to VGDF. The corresponding PAF for ever exposed to VGDF was 17% (95% CI 5.4% to 27.8%) and the risk of asthma onset increased with frequent VGDF exposure, indicating a possible exposure-response relationship (p=0.002 for trend). The N-JEM exposure group, accidental peak exposure to irritants had an increased risk of new-onset asthma, OR 2.43 (95% CI 1.21 to 4.90). A significant association was also found for self-reported exposure to visible damages due to moisture 1.51 (95% CI 1.08 to 2.11), visible and smell of mould 1.88 (95% CI 1.32 to 2.68), 1.55 (95% CI 1.12 to 2.16) and cold environment 1.41 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.86). Conclusion: Participants had elevated ORs for asthma associated with self-reported and N-JEM-assigned exposures. A PAF of 17% indicates that work-related asthma is still common. The possible exposure-response relationship suggests that reducing occupational VGDF exposure frequency could prevent the onset of asthma. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Respiratory System Safety
• Keywords:
  JEM Job Exposure Matrix Longitudinal Study Occupational Exposure Population Based Studies Respiratory Health Work-related Asthma WRA
• ISSN:
  2044-6055
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  RHD - Respiratory Health Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  14
• Issue:
  9
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20070162
• Citation:
  BMJ Open 2024 Sep; 14(9):e090131
• Contact Point Address:
  Nikola Zivadinovic, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Telemark Hospital, Skien, Norway
• Email:
  nikozi@sthf.no
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2024
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  BMJ Open
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:1db5f8bd07ccd874b40bbebf47762be4ee571946275d19c333730d8924b19bc8f87a5e49957b23401c8863eafd6bbd13d0719f1165aab8198b5d20502abf55fd
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/208437/cdc_208437_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 569.60 KB ]