What is the prognosis for patients with occupational asthma?
The majority of patients with occupational asthma with latency have permanent impairment, despite removing the patient from the causative agent for several years. The patients may experience asthma symptoms with exposure to other triggers and irritants. Patients may have persistent bronchial hyperresponsiveness, with or without symptoms of asthma. The longer the duration of symptoms before removal from latex exposure correlates with the severity of the asthma. The early diagnosis and immediate avoidance of latex increases the possibility of recovery. Reference: Brugnami G, Marabini A, Siracusa A. Work-related late asthmatic response induced by latex. JACI 1995; 96: 457-64. Vandeplas O. Occupational asthma caused by natural rubber latex. Eur Respir J 1995; 8: 1957-1965.
