Mold and damp work spaces may cause new-onset adult asthma

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Mold and damp work spaces may cause new-onset adult asthma

(http://aflen2008.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/cold-and-damp.gif) Damp and

moldy indoor environments aggravate pre-existing asthma, but may also

induce new-onset asthma. Finnish researchers assessed the probability of molds

being the cause of asthma in a series of 694 patients examined because of

respiratory symptoms in relation to workplace dampness and molds between

1995 and 2004. They had all been exposed to molds at work and had suffered

from work-related lower respiratory symptoms.

Using internationally recommended diagnostic criteria for occupational

asthma (OA), they categorized the patients into three groups: probable,

possible, and unlikely OA (156, 45, and 475 patients, respectively). In the

group

of probable OA, mold sensitization was found in 20%. The level of exposure

and sensitization to molds was associated with probable OA. Exposure to

damp and moldy workplaces can induce new-onset adult asthma. IgE mediation is

a rare mechanism, whereas other mechanisms are unknown.

_New-onset adult asthma in relation to damp and moldy workplaces_

(http://www.springerlink.com/content/j11257744n876415)

Kirsi Karvala1 et al. International Archives of Occupational and

Environmental Health 0340-0131 (Print) 1432-1246 (Online) February 02, 2010

Abstract

Objective: Damp and moldy indoor environments aggravate pre-existing

asthma. Recent meta-analyses suggest that exposure to such environments may

also

induce new-onset asthma. We assessed the probability of molds being the

cause of asthma in a patient series examined because of respiratory symptoms

in relation to workplace dampness and molds.

Methods: Altogether 694 such patients had been clinically assessed

between 1995 and 2004. According to their histories, they had all been exposed

to

molds at work and had suffered from work-related lower respiratory

symptoms. The investigations had included specific inhalation challenge (SIC)

tests

with mold extracts and serial peak expiratory flow (PEF) recordings. Using

internationally recommended diagnostic criteria for occupational asthma

(OA), we categorized the patients into three groups: probable, possible, and

unlikely OA (156, 45, and 475 patients, respectively). The clinical details

of 258 patients were analyzed, and their levels of microbial exposure were

evaluated.

Results: The agreement between the serial PEF recordings and SIC tests

(both being either positive or negative) was 56%. In the group of probable OA,

mold sensitization was found in 20%. The level of exposure and

sensitization to molds was associated with probable OA. At 6 months, the

follow-up

examinations of 136 patients with probable OA showed that the symptoms were

persistent, and no improvement in spirometry was noted despite adequate

treatment. Only 58% of the patients had returned to work.

Conclusions: Exposure to damp and moldy workplaces can induce new-onset

adult asthma. IgE mediation is a rare mechanism, whereas other mechanisms are

unknown.

Posted in _Asthma_ (http://en.wordpress.com/tag/asthma/) , _Biological

agents_ (http://en.wordpress.com/tag/biological-agents/) , _No category_

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(http://en.wordpress.com/tag/physical-agents/) | Tags: _Mold_

(http://en.wordpress.com/tag/mold/) , _Occupational asthma_

(http://en.wordpress.com/tag/occupational-asthma/)