Asthma, Occupational

Estimated 2–5% of all asthma cases are related to occupational factors

Dyspnea, wheezing, and/or cough that correlate with the workplace

Patients often report feeling better in the evenings or during weekends and vacations

Symptoms may occur 4–8 hours after exposure to the offending antigen. This may occur after the patient has left work or even at night and thus may mimic paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea

Requires a high index of suspicion and a careful history of workplace exposures

Spirometry before and after exposure to the implicated substance

Peak flow measurements at and outside of the workplace

Bronchoprovocation testing is helpful in some cases

Bronchodilators

Avoidance of further exposure to the offending agent