Asthmatic symptoms much more common than sensitisation in apprentice bakers

A longitudinal study of apprentice bakers in Denmark showed that chest tightness, wheezing and cough increased in the first 20 months of exposure to reach over 20%. This was unrelated to the development of sensitisation to wheat or alpha amylase which also occurred in other apprentices. Many only diagnose bakers asthma when both work-related asthma and sensitisation to a bakery antigen occurs in the same worker. The current study questions the "allergic march" theory (exposure - sensitisation - rhinitis - asthma). Whether those with new asthmatic symptoms actually have asthma, and their prognosis, awaits  a further study.

References

	Skjold T, Dahl R, Juhl B, Sigsgaard T, The incidence of respiratory symptoms and sensitisation in baker apprentices, Eur Respir J, 2008;32:452-459,

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