Occupational Asthma Reference
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Cherry N, Beach J, Burstyn I, Fan X, Guo N, Kapur N,
Data linkage to estimate the extent and distribution of occupational disease: new onset adult asthma in Alberta, Canada.,
Am J Ind Med,
2009;52:831-840,
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Keywords: occupational asthma, incidence, Canada, cleaner, isocyanate, agriculture, farmer
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Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Although occupational asthma is a well recognized and preventable disease, the numbers of cases presenting for compensation may be far lower than the true incidence.
METHODS:
Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) claims for any reason 1995-2004 were linked to physician billing data. New onset adult asthma (NOAA) was defined as a billing for asthma (ICD-9 code of 493) in the 12 months prior to a WCB claim without asthma in the previous 3 years. Incidence was calculated by occupation, industry and, in a case-referent analysis, exposures estimated from an asthma specific job exposure matrix.
RESULTS:
There were 782,908 WCB eligible claims, with an incidence rate for NOAA of 1.6%: 23 occupations and 21 industries had a significantly increased risk. Isocyanates (OR 1.54: 95% CI 1.01-2.36) and exposure to mixed agricultural allergens (OR = 1.59: 95% CI 1.17-2.18) were related to NOAA overall, as were exposures to cleaning chemicals in men (OR = 1.91:95% CI 1.34-2.73). Estimates of the number of cases of occupational asthma suggested a range of 4% to about half for the proportion compensated.
CONCLUSIONS:
Data linkage of administrative records can demonstrate under-reporting of occupational asthma and indicate areas for prevention.
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