Table 2:
Criteria for Defining Occupational Asthma Proposed by the American College of
Chest Physicians
A Diagnosis of asthma
B Onset of
symptoms after entering the workplace
C Association
between symptoms of asthma and work
D One or more
of the following criteria:
1
Workplace exposure to an agent or process known to give rise to
occupational asthma
2
Significant work-related changes in FEV1 or peak expiratory flow
rate
3
Significant work-related changes in nonspecific airway
responsiveness
4
Positive response to specific inhalation challenge tests with a
an agent to which the patient is exposed at work
5
Onset of asthma with a clear association with a symptomatic
exposure to an irritant agent in the workplace (RADS)
Requirements
Occupational asthma:
·
Medical case definition: A + B + C + D2 or D3 or D4 or D5
·
Likely occupational asthma: A + B + C + D1
·
Work-aggravated asthma: A + C (i.e., the subject was
symptomatic or required medication before and had an increase in symptoms or
medication requirement after entering a new occupational exposure setting)
Abbreviations: RADS, reactive airways dysfunction
syndrome; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in one second.
Note: Table 2 appears on page 6 in Asthma
in the Workplace, 3rd Ed.