HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS REGISTER		Author Keyword(s) Vol Page [Advanced]

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Web-only Appendix Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Add article to my folders Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Brisman, J Articles by Taylor, A J N Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Brisman, J Articles by Taylor, A J N

Exposure-response relations for work related respiratory symptoms and sensitisation in a cohort exposed to -amylase

¹ Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Imperial College (NHLI), London SW3 6LR, UK
² Occupational Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, SE 412 66 Göteborg, Sweden
³ Department of Environmental Science and Technology, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London SW7 2BP, UK

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr J Brisman
Dept of Occupational Medicine, S:t Sigfridsgatan 85, SE-412 66 Göteborg, Sweden; jonas.brisman{at}ymk.gu.se

ABSTRACT
Aims: To explore relations between exposure to fungal -amylase and the risk of new work related respiratory symptoms or sensitisation.

Methods: A prospective cohort study among 300 bakers and millers was followed up for a maximum of seven years. Exposure to -amylase was estimated by air measurements and questionnaires and classified into three categories. Symptoms were recorded with a self-administered questionnaire and skin sensitisation assessed using skin prick test (SPT).

Results: There were 36 new cases of chest symptoms, 86 of eyes/nose symptoms, and 24 of a positive SPT to -amylase. There were exposure-response relations for chest and eyes/nose symptoms and for sensitisation, and a significantly increased prevalence ratio for chest symptoms in the highest exposure category.

Conclusion: A reduction in -amylase exposure is likely to reduce the risk for respiratory morbidity in bakery workers.

Keywords: exposure-response relations; -amylase; cohort study

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. MEIJSTER, E. TIELEMANS, N. D. PATER, and D. Heederik Modelling Exposure in Flour Processing Sectors in The Netherlands: a Baseline Measurement in the Context of an Intervention Program Ann. Hyg., April 1, 2007; 51(3): 293 - 304. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]