Priorities for understanding and managing occupational allergy: a Delphi consensus

Abstract

Limiting factors in the understanding, clinical management, and prevention of occupationally related allergic disease should be identified, since these dictate the tasks that need to be undertaken and/or important research questions that warrant an answer. Through an adaptation of the Delphi technique, a working group of the Special Interest Group on Occupational Allergy of the British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology addressed these issues. The consensus categorized and ranked the limiting factors and tasks needed in relation to epidemiology and natural history, mechanisms, clinical diagnosis, statute and education, and the workplace environment. This report should help focus the debate regarding which issues are perceived to be most relevant and timely for research and good practice in the field of occupational allergy.