The persistence of allergen exposure accelerates the decline in the pulmonary function of workers with occupational asthma.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of therapeutic intervention and allergen exposure avoidance in the decline of the pulmonary function in allergic asthmatic workers. 24 patients were selected for the study. 11 (group A) changed occupations, after being diagnosed as asthma sufferers, to prevent occupational allergen exposure. 13 (group B) continued with their occupation and were pharmacologically treated according to international guidelines. A comparison of spirometric indices at the first observation (1991 ± 6 years) with those in the final observation (2003) revealed a significant reduction of CV and FEV1 values in all patients, in all cases greater than would be expected physiologically. A significantly greater reduction of CV and FEV1 was observed in group B respect to group A at the end of observation. The study shows that allergen avoidance is very effective in preventing the decline in pulmonary function in asthmatics and underlines the importance of allergic risk assessment and control in the treatment of asthmatic workers.