The diagnosis of occupational asthma confirmed by serial peak expiratory flow rate monitoring

Occupational asthma, the most common occupational respiratory disease in industrialized societies, accounts for 5-10% of all cases of asthma diagnosed in the world. The number of cases is increasing given the development of the “consumer society”. We aim to discuss a case of occupational asthma that we have confirmed using internationally validated methods.

Experience with Combined Vaccination against Pertussis, Diphtheria, Tetanus and Influenza in Workers with Occupational Respiratory Disease Hazard

Relevance. Respiratory diseases, flu and pertussis, in particular, are common causes of temporary disability at work place. Pertussis is the second most common infectious disease by incidents increase in the Russian Federation. Combined immunization is found to be an efficient method to prevent infections at work place.Objective. Research objective is to prove safety of combined influenza and the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccines for people with occupational hazard of respiratory diseases.Materials and methods. We have studied the vaccination process in 257 adults with 2-nd and 3-rd health groups. We evaluated post-vaccination reactions, their localization, severity, time onset, and duration. We identified two groups with weaker and stronger side effects after vaccination. We determined typical parameters of the vaccination process.Results. 50% people in examined group showed adverse reaction. Symptoms were weak as a rule and lasted up to 4 days mostly. 29 people (11%) had more severe and long reaction. 6 patients (2%) required supportive care, 2 (0.8%) showed severe symptoms lasting from 2 to up to 5 days.Conclusion. The application of influenza vaccination combined with diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccinations simultaneously have demonstrated that it is safe to use in adults at risk of exposure for respiratory diseases at workplace. Minor side effects do not pose a health threat, and can be completely prevented.

Experience with Combined Vaccination against Pertussis, Diphtheria, Tetanus and Influenza in Workers with Occupational Respiratory Disease Hazard

Relevance. Respiratory diseases, flu and pertussis, in particular, are common causes of temporary disability at work place. Pertussis is the second most common infectious disease by incidents increase in the Russian Federation. Combined immunization is found to be an efficient method to prevent infections at work place.Objective. Research objective is to prove safety of combined influenza and the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccines for people with occupational hazard of respiratory diseases.Materials and methods. We have studied the vaccination process in 257 adults with 2-nd and 3-rd health groups. We evaluated post-vaccination reactions, their localization, severity, time onset, and duration. We identified two groups with weaker and stronger side effects after vaccination. We determined typical parameters of the vaccination process.Results. 50% people in examined group showed adverse reaction. Symptoms were weak as a rule and lasted up to 4 days mostly. 29 people (11%) had more severe and long reaction. 6 patients (2%) required supportive care, 2 (0.8%) showed severe symptoms lasting from 2 to up to 5 days.Conclusion. The application of influenza vaccination combined with diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccinations simultaneously have demonstrated that it is safe to use in adults at risk of exposure for respiratory diseases at workplace. Minor side effects do not pose a health threat, and can be completely prevented.

Sentinel approach to detect emerging causes of work-related respiratory diseases

Background The world of work is continually changing, and this could result in new and emerging risks being introduced, including those that may cause work-related respiratory diseases (WRRD). Aims To describe recently emerging and new cases of WRRD and the relevant methodology using data in a national occupational respiratory disease surveillance scheme in the UK. Methods Incident cases of respiratory diseases reported by physicians to the Surveillance of Work-related and Occupational Respiratory Disease (SWORD) between January 2015 and December 2017 were included. Potentially emerging respiratory hazards manifesting in SWORD data were identified with the following hierarchical approach: (i) new respiratory disease not previously associated with work, (ii) specific exposure/agent not previously associated with WRRD and (iii) industry and/or occupation not previously associated with WRRD. Results A total of 1215 cases of WRRD were reported to SWORD between January 2015 and December 2017. No new WRRD were identified. Thirteen potentially emerging causes of occupational asthma were identified, including exposures to agents such as ninhydrin. Four potential new causes were identified for interstitial pneumonia, which included wood and brass dust. Two potentially emerging causes of WRRD were identified for inhalational accidents (green coffee and nitrocellulose), hypersensitivity pneumonitis (diphenylmethane diisocyanate and salami mould), rhinitis (morphine and Amaranthus quitensis) and sarcoidosis (prions and horses). Conclusions Continuous monitoring and reporting of any new work-related disease is a critical function of any occupational disease reporting scheme. Potential emerging causes of work-related health risks have been identified by using a simple and systematic way of detecting emerging causes of WRRDs.

Epidemiology of silicosis: reports from the SWORD scheme in the UK from 1996 to 2017

ObjectiveTo document the demographic risk factors of workers reported to have silicosis in the UK.MethodsAll cases of silicosis reported to the Surveillance of Work-related and Occupational Respiratory Disease (SWORD) scheme between January 1996 and December 2017 were classified into one of eight industry categories, and one of five age groups. In addition, to investigate whether there had been any temporal change, mean age and range at diagnosis was plotted for each year. From 2006, data were also available relating to the date of onset of symptoms, allowing a comparison between workers with and without respiratory symptoms.ResultsFor the period between 1996 and 2017, there were 216 cases of silicosis reported. The mean (range) age of those reported was 61 years (23–89), with the majority (98%) being male. Across all industries, 65% of cases were diagnosed in individuals of working age (<65 for men and <60 for women). Silicosis was reported in young workers across all industry groups, with around one in six of all silicosis cases affecting workers under the age of 46 years. There was no clear trend in age of diagnosis with time. Between 2006 and 2017, 81% of 108 workers with silicosis were reported to be symptomatic.ConclusionsSilicosis remains an important health problem in the UK affecting workers of all ages across a wide range of industries traditionally associated with silica exposure.