PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Larbanois, A. AU - Jamart, J. AU - Delwiche, J‐P. AU - Vandenplas, O. TI - Socioeconomic outcome of subjects experiencing asthma symptoms at work AID - 10.1183/09031936.02.00272202a DP - 2002 Jun 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - 1107--1113 VI - 19 IP - 6 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/19/6/1107.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/19/6/1107.full SO - Eur Respir J2002 Jun 01; 19 AB - The aim of this study was to investigate the socioeconomic outcomes of subjects who experienced work­related asthma symptoms in the absence of demonstrable occupational asthma (OA) and to compare these outcomes with those found in subjects with documented OA. Subjects (n=157) who were being investigated for work­related asthma, were surveyed. Of these 86 had OA, ascertained by a positive specific inhalation challenge (SIC), and 71 subjects had a negative SIC response. After a median interval of 43 months (range 12–85 months), the subjects were interviewed to collect information on employment status, income changes, and asthma­related work disability. Rates of work disruption and income loss at follow­up were similar in subjects with negative SIC (46% and 59%, respectively) and in those with OA (38% and 62%). The median loss as a percentage of initial income was 23% in subjects with negative SIC and 22% in subjects with OA. Asthma­related work disability, defined as any job change or work loss due to asthma, was slightly more common in subjects with OA (72%) than in those with negative SIC (54%). This study shows that, even in the absence of demonstrable occupational asthma, work­related asthma symptoms are associated with considerable socioeconomic consequences. This study was supported by the Services Fédéraux des Affaires Scientifiques, Techniques et Culturelles, Programme d'appui scientifique à la protection des travailleurs grant SSTC PS/10/44.