Authors
Knoeller-GE; Mazurek-JM; Moorman-JE
Source
J Asthma 2013 Mar; 50(2):166-173
Abstract
Objective. To examine the number of days with asthma symptoms among individuals with work-related asthma (WRA) and non-WRA. Methods. We calculated adjusted prevalence ratios and compared mean number of days with asthma symptoms using 2006-2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Asthma Call-back Survey data for ever-employed adults with current asthma from 38 states and District of Columbia. Results. Compared with persons with non-WRA, those with WRA had higher mean number of days with asthma symptoms. Regardless of WRA status, individuals with higher number of days with asthma symptoms were more likely to be unable to work or carry out their usual activities due to asthma. Associations between frequency of asthma symptoms and activity limitation due to asthma were weaker among currently employed adults and stronger among adults not currently employed than the observed associations for all ever-employed adults. Conclusions. These results suggest higher frequency of asthma symptoms among adults with WRA and underscore the need for optimal asthma management in individuals with WRA.
Keywords
Bronchial-asthma; Respiratory-system-disorders; Pulmonary-system-disorders; Lung-disorders; Employee-health; Epidemiology; Surveillance-programs; Occupational-exposure; Employee-exposure; Clinical-symptoms; Health-surveys; Information-retrieval-systems; Work-capability;
Author Keywords: asthma; Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; respiratory signs and symptoms; occupational health
Contact
Gretchen E. Knoeller, MPH, 1095 Willowdale Rd., MS HG900, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
GKnoeller@cdc.gov
Source Name
Journal of Asthma