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Mihaicuta S, Udrescu L, Militaru A, Nadasan V, Tiotiu A, Bikov A, Ursoniu S, Birza R, Popa AM, Frent S. Multivariate analysis and data mining help predict asthma exacerbations. J Asthma 2024; 61:608-618. [PMID: 38112563 DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2023.2297366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Work-related asthma has become a highly prevalent occupational lung disorder. OBJECTIVE Our study aims to evaluate occupational exposure as a predictor for asthma exacerbation. METHOD We performed a retrospective evaluation of 584 consecutive patients diagnosed and treated for asthma between October 2017 and December 2019 in four clinics from Western Romania. We evaluated the enrolled patients for their asthma control level by employing the Asthma Control Test (ACT < 20 represents uncontrolled asthma), the medical record of asthma exacerbations, occupational exposure, and lung function (i.e. spirometry). Then, we used statistical and data mining methods to explore the most important predictors for asthma exacerbations. RESULTS We identified essential predictors by calculating the odds ratios (OR) for the exacerbation in a logistic regression model. The average age was 45.42 ± 11.74 years (19-85 years), and 422 (72.26%) participants were females. 42.97% of participants had exacerbations in the past year, and 31.16% had a history of occupational exposure. In a multivariate model analysis adjusted for age and gender, the most important predictors for exacerbation were uncontrolled asthma (OR 4.79, p < .001), occupational exposure (OR 4.65, p < .001), and lung function impairment (FEV1 < 80%) (OR 1.15, p = .011). The ensemble machine learning experiments on combined patient features harnessed by our data mining approach reveal that the best predictor is professional exposure, followed by ACT. CONCLUSIONS Machine learning ensemble methods and statistical analysis concordantly indicate that occupational exposure and ACT < 20 are strong predictors for asthma exacerbation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Mihaicuta
- Center for Research and Innovation in Precision Medicine of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Pulmonology, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Lucretia Udrescu
- Department I-Drug Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Adrian Militaru
- Department of Computer and Information Technology, Politehnica University Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Valentin Nadasan
- Department of Hygiene, "G.E. Palade" University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Angelica Tiotiu
- Department of Pulmonology, Nancy University Hospital, Nancy, France
| | - Andras Bikov
- Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Division of Infection, Immunity & Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Sorin Ursoniu
- Department of Public Health and Health Management, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
- Center for Translational Research and Systems Medicine, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Romina Birza
- Center for Research and Innovation in Precision Medicine of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Pulmonology, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Alina Mirela Popa
- Center for Research and Innovation in Precision Medicine of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Pulmonology, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Stefan Frent
- Center for Research and Innovation in Precision Medicine of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Pulmonology, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
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Blouin C, Lemière C. Recent developments in occupational asthma. Curr Opin Pulm Med 2024; 30:281-286. [PMID: 38415698 DOI: 10.1097/mcp.0000000000001062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Occupational asthma (OA) is a complex condition that can be difficult to diagnose. The purpose of this review is to describe some recent findings regarding the epidemiology of OA, the occupational sensitizing agents, the prognosis of OA, and its primary prevention. RECENT FINDINGS The risk of developing OA varies according to the geographic localization of the worker, the type of industry and the type of sensitizing agents. New findings have been reported for several known sensitizing agents, such as isocyanates, seafood & cleaning agents, and their related industries, such as hairdressing salons and schools. Moreover, a few new sensitizing agents, such as cannabis, have been identified in the past few years. The prognosis of OA seems worse than that of nonwork-related asthma. It is mainly determined by the duration and the level of exposure. Primary prevention is crucial to reduce the number of new cases of OA. Complete avoidance of exposure to the causal agent remains the optimal treatment of sensitizer-induced OA. SUMMARY Improving our knowledge regarding OA and its causative agents is key to enable an early recognition of this condition and improve its prognosis. Further research is still needed to improve primary prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Blouin
- CIUSSS du Nord de l'île de Montréal
- Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC Canada
| | - Catherine Lemière
- CIUSSS du Nord de l'île de Montréal
- Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC Canada
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Gaddour A, Chatti S, Chouchene A, Kacem I, Bouhoula M, Aloui A, Marnaoui M, Maoua M, Brahem A, Kalboussi H, El Maalel O, Mrizek N. [An epidemiological and evolutionary profile of occupational asthma of Tunisian workers]. Rev Mal Respir 2024; 41:227-236. [PMID: 38429194 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmr.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study aims to identify the epidemiological and occupational characteristics of patients with occupational asthma (OA) and to assess their clinical evolution and occupational outcomes. METHODS We carried out a descriptive epidemiological study over a period of five years (from 2012 to 2016) about the OA cases in the private sector reported in the Tunisian region of Zaghouan. RESULTS All in all, 165 OA cases were reported during the study period, representing an annual incidence of 733.3 cases per 1,000,000 workers in the private sector. Our study population was composed predominantly (85.5%) of women, whose mean age was 41.5±6.8years. More than three quarters of the affected persons were working in the automobile industry, and most illnesses (77%) were attributable to isocyanates. The mean time to onset of the respiratory symptoms was longer for low molecular weight agents (13.6±3.1years) compared to high molecular weight agents (12.0±3.9years) (P=0.0006). The majority of OA cases (66.7%) lost their jobs. Job loss was significantly more frequent among asthmatic women and workers with OA due to isocyanates. Among the 62 cases of OA for whom risk factors were eliminated, 45 nonetheless remained symptomatic. CONCLUSION Effective prevention strategies involving the various actors need to be implemented in work environments so as to reduce the frequency and the medico-legal repercussions of a disabling condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gaddour
- Département de médecine de travail, faculté de médecine de Sousse, université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisie; Service de médecine de travail et pathologies professionnelles, hôpital universitaire Ibn El Jazzar, Kairouan, Tunisie.
| | - S Chatti
- Département de médecine de travail, faculté de médecine de Sousse, université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisie; Service de médecine de travail et pathologies professionnelles, hôpital universitaire Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisie
| | - A Chouchene
- Département de médecine de travail, faculté de médecine de Sousse, université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisie; Service de médecine de travail et pathologies professionnelles, hôpital universitaire Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisie
| | - I Kacem
- Département de médecine de travail, faculté de médecine de Sousse, université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisie; Service de médecine de travail et pathologies professionnelles, hôpital universitaire Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisie
| | - M Bouhoula
- Département de médecine de travail, faculté de médecine de Sousse, université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisie; Service de médecine de travail et pathologies professionnelles, hôpital universitaire Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisie
| | - A Aloui
- Département de médecine de travail, faculté de médecine de Sousse, université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisie; Service de médecine de travail et pathologies professionnelles, hôpital universitaire Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisie
| | - M Marnaoui
- Inspection médicale de travail, Zaghouan, Tunisie
| | - M Maoua
- Département de médecine de travail, faculté de médecine de Sousse, université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisie; Service de médecine de travail et pathologies professionnelles, hôpital universitaire Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisie
| | - A Brahem
- Département de médecine de travail, faculté de médecine de Sousse, université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisie; Service de médecine de travail et pathologies professionnelles, hôpital universitaire Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisie
| | - H Kalboussi
- Département de médecine de travail, faculté de médecine de Sousse, université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisie; Service de médecine de travail et pathologies professionnelles, hôpital universitaire Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisie
| | - O El Maalel
- Département de médecine de travail, faculté de médecine de Sousse, université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisie; Service de médecine de travail et pathologies professionnelles, hôpital universitaire Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisie
| | - N Mrizek
- Département de médecine de travail, faculté de médecine de Sousse, université de Sousse, Sousse, Tunisie; Service de médecine de travail et pathologies professionnelles, hôpital universitaire Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisie
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