Median panel scores for indicators relating to the defining occupational asthma
| Median panel score | |
|---|---|
| *Indicates disagreement. | |
| 9 | Occupational asthma is defined as asthma induced by exposure in the working environment to airborne dusts, vapours or fumes |
| Occupational asthma is defined as asthma induced by exposure in the working environment to airborne dusts, vapours or fumes, with or without pre-existing asthma | |
| Respiratory sensitisation can sometimes occur to agents for which an immune mechanism has not been identified | |
| For some agents both immunological and non-immunological mechanisms may be involved (eg, diisocyanates) | |
| 8 | Occupational asthma encompasses sensitiser-induced asthma and acute irritant induced asthma (RADS) |
| Sensitiser-induced occupational asthma occurs following a latency period. | |
| Acute irritant induced asthma (RADS) is a type of occupational asthma where there is no latency period and no immunological sensitisation | |
| The term RADS should only be used when a single high exposure episode has occurred | |
| Work-related asthma includes sensitiser-induced occupational asthma, acute irritant induced asthma (RADS) and aggravation of pre-existing asthma | |
| If low dose irritant-induced asthma exists I would include it in work-related asthma | |
| 5 | Recurrent low-dose, irritant-induced asthma is a condition I sometimes diagnose* |
| Occupational asthma can occur following transdermal exposure to a sensitising agent | |
| 3 | The term “occupational asthma” should be reserved for cases where a sensitisation process is implied* |
| 2 | Acute irritant-induced asthma should be reserved for pre-existing asthma made worse by work exposures rather than caused by work exposures |