Occupational Exposure Among Bakery Workers: Impact on the Occurrence of Work-Related Symptoms as Compared With Allergic Characteristics

Objective: The aim of the study is to examine the relationship between exposure to occupational allergens, sensitization, and atopy and several outcome variables and the independent associations of these interrelate risk factors to work-related symptoms in particular. Methods: Data wer collected by...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of occupational and environmental medicine 2005-05, Vol.47 (5), p.458-465
Main Authors: Droste, Jos, Vermeire, Paul, Van Sprundel, Marc, Bulat, Peter, Braeckman, Lutgart, Myny, Katrien, Vanhoorne, Michel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Air Pollutants, Occupational - analysis
Allergic diseases
Allergies
alpha-Amylases
Area Under Curve
Bakeries
Belgium - epidemiology
Biological and medical sciences
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Dust - analysis
Female
Food Handling - statistics & numerical data
Humans
Immunopathology
Male
Medical sciences
Occupational Diseases - diagnosis
Occupational Diseases - epidemiology
Occupational Exposure - analysis
Occupational Exposure - statistics & numerical data
Occupational hazards
Odds Ratio
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Prevalence
Respiratory and ent allergic diseases
Respiratory Function Tests
Respiratory Hypersensitivity - diagnosis
Respiratory Hypersensitivity - epidemiology
Risk Factors
Skin Tests
Triticum
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Summary:Objective: The aim of the study is to examine the relationship between exposure to occupational allergens, sensitization, and atopy and several outcome variables and the independent associations of these interrelate risk factors to work-related symptoms in particular. Methods: Data wer collected by questionnaire, skin prick tests, lung function tests, and exposure measurements among 246 workers from 74 bakeries and analyzed using logistic and linear regression analyses. Results: Exposure levels were associated with respiratory symptoms, sensitization to baker's allergens, and lung function. High exposure and sensitization to common and bakers' allergens were independent risk factors for work-related symptoms. However, allergy determinants performed best in predicting work-related symptoms. Conclusions: Current exposure to occupational allergens is a risk factor for work-related symptoms, but sensitization to occupational allergens and atopy are more adequate and easier obtainable predictors of work-related symptoms.
ISSN:1076-2752
1536-5948
DOI:10.1097/01.jom.0000161729.38843.38