Prevalence and host determinants of occupational bronchial asthma in animal shelter workers.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
We examined the risk factors for the development of airway allergy in animal shelter workers.

METHODS:
The study population comprised 88 animal shelter workers occupationally exposed to cats and dogs. They responded to a questionnaire concerning the history of exposure to animal allergens and job characteristics and were subjected to skin prick test (SPT) to common and occupational allergens (cat and dog), and determination of total serum IgE level and specific IgE. In addition, SPT with rat and mouse allergens were performed. Bronchial hyperreactivity and peak expiratory flow rate were measured at work and off work only in workers with work-related symptoms suggestive of occupational asthma (OA).

RESULTS:
The prevalence of OA was 9.1%. Sensitization to dog allergens was higher than to cats. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed a significant role of positive family history of atopy and having a dog as pet in the past for the development of occupational airway allergy (OR 5.9; 95% CI 1.76, 20.00; P = 0.003; OR 6.47; 95% CI 1.90, 22.02; P = 0.002, respectively). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the risk for developing OA was most clearly associated with growing up in the country (OR 7.59; 95% CI 1.25, 45.9; P = 0.025).

CONCLUSIONS:
Allergic disease is a serious occupational health concern for subjects who have occupational contact with cats and dogs.

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Author information

Author/s: Krakowiak, Anna (A); Krawczyk, Patrycja (P); Szulc, Bogdan (B); Wiszniewska, Marta (M); Kowalczyk, Monika (M); Walusiak, Jolanta (J); Palczynski, Cezary (C);

Affiliation: Department of Occupational Diseases, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, 8 Teresy St., 91-348, Lodz, Poland. annakrak(-atsign-)imp.lodz.pl

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: International archives of occupational and environmental health (Int Arch Occup Environ Health), published in Germany. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Apr; vol 80 (issue 5) : pp 423-32

Dates: Created 2007/03/02; Completed 2007/08/15;

PMID: 17021841, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Animal Welfare
Animals
Asthma - epidemiology; etiology
Female
Humans

Hypersensitivity
Male
Middle Aged
Occupational Exposure
Poland - epidemiology
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