Exhaled nitric oxide and screening for occupational asthma in two at-risk sectors: bakery and hairdressing.

Background: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) levels are increasingly being used in the diagnosis and management of asthma. However, this indicator has rarely been used to detect occupational asthma.

Objective: To examine non-invasive methods to estimate airway inflammation.

Prevalence of IgE against neuromuscular blocking agents in hairdressers and bakers.

Background: Allergic IgE-mediated reactions to neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) are the main cause of immediate hypersensitivity reactions in anaesthesia; their predominant occurrence in the absence of previous exposure to NMBAs suggests a risk related to environmental exposure.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of specific IgE to quaternary ammonium ions in two populations professionally exposed to quaternary ammonium compounds, in the north-eastern France.

Methods: The study had a retrospective follow-up design whereby apprentices were assessed after their 2-year training period as apprentices.

Early incidence of occupational asthma is not accelerated by atopy in the bakery/pastry and hairdressing sectors.

Setting: Occupational asthma (OA) is most likely to develop in the very early years of exposure.

Objective: To describe the early incidence of OA among bakers/pastry-makers (BP) and hairdressers and to explore the role of atopy.

Design: Following a retrospective follow-up design, subjects were invited to undergo telephone interviews.

Genetic predictors of inflammation in the risk of occupational asthma in young apprentices.

Background: The influence of genetic predictors of inflammation and atopy on occupational asthma in apprentices is not known.

Objectives: To assess the influence of genetic polymorphisms of IL4RA, IL13, TNFA, IL1A, and IL5 on the decline of lung function and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in a prospective follow-up study of baker/pastry maker and hairdresser apprentices.

Methods: A total of 351 apprentices were included in the study.

Efficacy of a smoking cessation program in a population of adolescent smokers in vocational schools: a public health evaluative controlled study.

Background: To evaluate the public health efficacy of a community-based smoking cessation program (TABADO) among vocational school trainees (15 to 20 years old).

Methods: This prospective, controlled, quasi-experimental study was conducted in eight vocational training centres (VTC) in France. The intervention group underwent the TABADO program, which included a general information session for all students and small-group sessions plus individual counselling and nicotine therapy, if needed, for volunteers in an enhanced program.