The American College of Chest Physicians has issued a new consensus statement offering guidelines on diagnosing and treating work-related asthma (WRA). Work related asthma includes occupational asthma and work-exacerbated asthma (WEA). The new consensus statement is the first update since 1995.
Highlights of the statement include:
• Preventive measures, including better control of exposures.
• The need for a combination of diagnostic testing.
• The importance of obtaining a full medical and occupational history in patients with suspected WRA.
A panel of specialists in allergy, pulmonary, and occupational medicine developed the statement. Supplemental materials are also provided with the consensus statement, including a workplace fact sheet and physician flow sheets to help diagnose and manage WRA.
The consensus statement is published as a supplement to the September issue of CHEST.
