What are the sensitivity and the specificity of specific bronchial provocation testing while at work, and after removal from work, in the diagnosis of validated cases of occupational asthma?

The following references have been associated with this question by users of this website. They do not form part of the BOHRF occupational asthma guidelines.

burgeps Brant 2006 This doesnt address sensitivity and specificity, but estimates the half life of specific IgE to detergent enzymes at 20-21 months.
burgeps Munoz 2004
burgeps Rioux 2008 This is one of the few studies which has attempted to investigate the sensitivity of specific challenge testing carried out in a national reference centre. 99 workers with a good history of occupational asthma had workplace challenges where a >20% fall in FEV1 was considered positive. If 1-2 days at work showed no significant reaction, peak flow recordings for 2 weeks was carried out with repeat NSBR afterwards. Of 99 workers with negative challenges 22 had a positive workplace challenge and a further 7 a positive 2-week challenge. The total numbers investigated with a positive challenge is not given in the paper, but the probility of occupational asthma in a worker with a good history and a negative secific challenge was 29%
burgeps Burge 2018 Shows specificity of 100% with the agents tested
burgeps Moore 2020
burgeps Moore 2020

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