Comparison of Psychological, Quality of Life, Work-Limitation, and Socioeconomic Status Between Patients With Occupational Asthma and Work-Exacerbated Asthma.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare psychological status, quality of life (QoL), work limitation, and socioeconomic status between patients with occupational asthma (OA) and work-exacerbated asthma (WEA). The following questionnaires were administered to participants: Beck anxiety and depression (II) inventories, Marks' Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire, and Work Limitations Questionnaire. Cross-sectional analyses between OA and WEA subgroups were completed. There were 77 participants. WEA subjects had a trend to higher anxiety scores (OA = 9.2 ± 8.0, WEA = 12.8 ± 8.3, P = 0.07, Cohen d = 0.4). Depression scores trended higher for those with WEA (OA = 9.6 ± 10.3, WEA = 13.4 ± 13.5, P = 0.2, Cohen d = 0.3). QoL was comparable between groups. WEA subjects had fewer work limitations (N = 50, OA = 25.1 ± 27.3, WEA = 20.6 ± 24.4, P = 0.56, Cohen d = 0.3) and OA subjects were more likely to have reduced income. In a tertiary clinic, there were some modest differences for specific variables between OA and WEA subjects that may help inform management.