Reference

Malo JL, Lemiere C, Desjardins A et al, Prevalence and intensity of rhinoconjunctivitis in subjects with occupational asthma, Eur Respir J, 1997;10:1513-1515,

BOHRF Original Authors' Main Conclusions

The original authors' main conclusions are taken from Abstract, Results and Discussion. They are decided upon by the authors of the BOHRF occupational asthma guidelines and form part of the guidelines.

Study aimed to assess the prevalence, severity and timing of symptoms of rhino-conjunctivitis in association with occupational asthma. Specific inhalation challenges confirmed the diagnosis of occupational asthma in 40 subjects. Symptoms of rhinitis were reported at some time by 37/40 subjects, and conjunctivitis by 29/40 subjects. The prevalence of symptoms was not different for high and low molecular weight (HMW, LMW) agents, although rhinitis was more intense for HMW. There were significantly fewer subjects with occupational asthma due to LMW agents, with rhinitis appearing before asthma. Authors conclude, symptoms of rhino-conjunctivitis are often associated with occupational asthma. Rhinitis is less pronounced in case of LMW agents, but more often appears before occupational asthma in the case of HMW agents

BOHRF Associated Evidence Statements

The BOHRF occupational asthma guidelines state that this reference is associated with the following evidence statements

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2+

Occupational rhinitis and occupational asthma frequently occur as co-morbid conditions in IgE associated occupational asthma.

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2+

Rhino-conjunctivitis is more likely to appear before the onset of IgE associated occupational asthma.

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3

Free histories taken by experts have high sensitivity, but their specificity may be lower.