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. 2017 Dec 1;15(4):297-302.
doi: 10.5327/Z1679443520170095. eCollection 2017.

Occupational allergic disease: socio-epidemiological aspects from a specialized outpatient clinic in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Cynthia Mafra Fonseca de Lima  1   2 , Giovanna Hernandes Y Hernandes  2 , Samia Navajas  2 , Gustavo Swarowsky  2 , Jorge Kalil  1 , Clóvis Eduardo Santos Galvão  1
Affiliations

Occupational allergic disease: socio-epidemiological aspects from a specialized outpatient clinic in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Cynthia Mafra Fonseca de Lima et al. Rev Bras Med Trab. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Background: Occupational diseases involving the immune system are considered to be occupational allergic diseases (OAD); 15% of occupational diseases are allergic. The social consequences of OAD are significant for both workers and employers.

Objectives: To describe demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with OAD and their social outcomes.

Methods: Descriptive and retrospective study of the medical records of patients diagnosed with OAD cared at the occupational allergy clinic of a university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil.

Results: A total of 72 patients exhibited OAD, with age 21 to 89 years old; 52% were male. Atopic antecedents were described for 35% of patients. Most patients worked in the chemical industry (17%), cleaning (15%), construction (11%) and health care (8%). Occupational rhinitis was found in 26% of the patients, work-related asthma in 18%, asthma and rhinitis in 25%, and allergic contact dermatitis in 13%. In regard to the social outcomes, 36 (50%) workers remained in their jobs, 19 (26%) changed function, 7 (10%) changed occupation, 7 (10%) were fired and 3 (4%) retired.

Conclusions: In the present study, OAD prevailed among males and within the economically active age; cases of occupational rhinitis were the most frequent. Half of the employees remained in the same job position even after diagnosis.

Introdução: Doença ocupacional envolvendo o sistema imunológico é considerada doença alérgica ocupacional (DAO). Das doenças ocupacionais, 15% são alérgicas. As consequências sociais do diagnóstico de DAO são importantes para o trabalhador e empregador.

Objetivos: Descrever características demográficas e clínicas dos pacientes estudados com DAO e seus desfechos sociais.

Métodos: Estudo descritivo, retrospectivo dos prontuários de pacientes do ambulatório de alergia ocupacional de hospital universitário em São Paulo, com diagnóstico de DAO.

Resultados: 72 pacientes apresentaram DAO, com idades entre 21 e 89 anos; 52% do sexo masculino. Antecedentes atópicos foram descritos em 35% dos pacientes. A maioria dos pacientes trabalhava nas áreas de indústria química (17%), limpeza (15%), construção civil (11%) e saúde (8%). Rinite ocupacional foi vista em 26% dos pacientes; asma relacionada ao trabalho, em 18%; asma e rinite, em 25%; dermatite de contato alérgica, em 13%. Sobre o desfecho social, 36 (50%) mantiveram-se em seus cargos, 19 (26%) mudaram de função, 7 (10%) mudaram de área, 7 (10%) foram afastados e 3 (4%) se aposentaram.

Conclusões: Na casuística estudada, a DAO prevaleceu no sexo masculino, em faixa etária condizente com faixa trabalhadora; com maior número de casos de rinite ocupacional. Metade dos pacientes continuou exercendo a mesma função mesmo após o diagnóstico.

Keywords: allergy and immunology; asthma, occupational; dermatitis, occupational; rhinitis, allergic.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Frequency of respiratory symptoms among patients with occupational asthma and rhinitis (patients might had exhibited more than one symptom), São Paulo, 2002-2015 (N=72).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Distribution of patients per occupational allergy diagnosis, São Paulo, 2002-2015 (N=72).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.. Socio-occupational situation of patients diagnosed with occupational allergy, São Paulo, 2002-2015 (N=72).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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