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Abstract #154459

Aimee R. Bolen, MPH¹, Paul K. Henneberger, ScD², Susan J. Derk, MA³, and Xiaoming Liang, MS². (1) Health Research and Analysis, 5410 Edson Lane, Suite 320 G, Rockville, MD 20852, 301-468-7370, abolen@health-ra.com, (2) DRDS, NIOSH, MS 2800, 1095 Willowdale Rd., Morgantown, WV 26505, (3) DSR, NIOSH, MS 1808, 1095 Willowdale Rd., Morgantown, WV 26505

A subset of adults with asthma demonstrate irreversible airway obstruction (IAO) or other decrements in lung function. The aim of this study was to examine whether a history of workplace exacerbation of asthma (WEA) was associated with these outcomes in adults with asthma.

170 adults aged 20-47 (mean age=36) underwent lung function testing pre- and post- bronchodilator. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were measured. Obstruction was defined as a pre-bronchodilator FEV₁ and FEV₁/FVC less than the lower limits of normal (LLN). IAO was defined, among those obstructed, as a post-bronchodilator (post-BD) FEV₁ less then the LLN. Associations between lung function outcomes and WEA and other variables were evaluated using regression modeling.

Fifteen (8.8%) of the 170 adults tested had IAO. Demographic characteristics, asthma severity, and WEA status were not associated with IAO. Based on regression modeling, a lower post-BD FEV₁ was associated with moderately severe (versus mild) asthma among males (-0.371 liter, p=0.02) but not females (+0.106 liter, p=0.30), controlling for gender, age, height, and weight. Also, those with a history of WEA had a lower post-BD FEV₁ (-0.179 liter, p=0.08).

Our study showed no association between IAO and traditional explanatory factors, but did show that IAO can occur in young adults with mild to moderate asthma. A decrement in FEV₁ was associated with WEA, but was of borderline statistical significance (0.05<p<0.10) in this relatively small group of adults with asthma.

Learning Objectives:

• Examine whether a history of workplace exacerbation of asthma (WEA) is associated with irreversible airway obstruction in adults with asthma.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.