ABSTRACT
Exacerbation of asthma can result from exposures at home, at work, in the outdoor environment, and in public buildings. Work-related asthma (WRA) comprises occupational asthma (OA) that is caused by conditions at work and work-exacerbated asthma (WEA), in which preexisting or concurrent asthma is worsened by workplace conditions. The number of articles that address WEA has increased considerably since the last version of this chapter was published in 2013. This chapter covers various topics related to WEA, including definitions, frequency, agents, characteristics of cases, clinical approach, prevention, and future research directions. WEA describes a worsening from baseline respiratory health resulting from workplace exposures or conditions in any individual with asthma. WEA is the result of an interaction between an individual with asthma and the environment in which the individual works. The case definition includes the following considerations: (1) preexisting or concurrent asthma; (2) increased frequency of asthma symptoms, medication use, or healthcare utilization temporally associated with work; (3) Workplace exposures or conditions exist that can exacerbate asthma; (4) OA (asthma caused by a specific, identified workplace exposure) is unlikely. The frequency of WEA is discussed and presented in a detailed table as well as exposures associated with WEA. Features that make distinct OA and WEA are proposed. Diagnostic means and prevention are finally presented.
