Asthma and severe asthma diagnoses across professional groups: a retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction  Occupational asthma and work-aggravated asthma are common but often underdiagnosed conditions affecting workers in high-risk industries.

Objective  To evaluate the prevalence of severe asthma among individuals diagnosed at a peripheral hospital’s Pulmonology Service, with particular attention to the documentation of occupational exposures in their clinical records.

Methods  This retrospective study included 431 individuals diagnosed with asthma at a Pulmonology Service in Alto Ave, Portugal. Data were collected through detailed reviews of electronic medical records. Data collected included occupational history, age of asthma onset, and need for biological treatment. Occupational exposures were categorized based on occupational groups, reflecting the main professional activities and industries in which workers were employed.

Results  Among the 431 individuals diagnosed with asthma, 309 (72%) were female, and 65 (15%) met the criteria for severe asthma (GINA Step 5). The highest prevalence of severe asthma was in the textile industry (40%), followed by construction and footwear. Among individuals with severe asthma, 15.4% lacked documented occupational exposure assessments, and only 1 of 36 adult-onset cases underwent serial Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) testing.

Conclusion  These findings highlight the need for standardized protocols for diagnosing occupational asthma, particularly in severe adult-onset cases, to improve management and reduce healthcare costs.

Asthma, Occupational; Severe Asthma; Occupational Exposure; Occupational Health