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.

Diet, occupational exposure and early asthma incidence among bakers, pastry makers and hairdressers.

Background: The natural history of occupational asthma (OA) is influenced by many determinants. This study aims to assess the combined roles of personal characteristics, including occupational exposure and nutritional habits, on the incidence of OA during the first years at work.

Methods: A nested case-control study was conducted within a retrospective cohort of young workers in the bakery, pastry-making and hairdressing sectors.

Increase in exhaled nitric oxide is associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness among apprentices.

Rationale: Airway inflammation is a hallmark of asthma. Several studies have validated the use of the fractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (Fe(NO)) as a surrogate marker of airway inflammation in asthma.

Objectives: We examined how the change in Fe(NO) levels, since the beginning of occupational exposure, could be associated with the incidence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) among baker, pastry maker, and hairdresser apprentices during their 2-year training.

Early incidence of occupational asthma among young bakers, pastry-makers and hairdressers: design of a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Occupational exposures are thought to be responsible for 10-15% of new-onset asthma cases in adults, with disparities across sectors. Because most of the data are derived from registries and cross-sectional studies, little is known about incidence of occupational asthma (OA) during the first years after inception of exposure. This paper describes the design of a study that focuses on this early asthma onset period among young workers in the bakery, pastry making and hairdressing sectors in order to assess early incidence of OA in these "at risk" occupations according to exposure duration, and to identify risk factors of OA incidence.

TABADO: "evaluation of a smoking cessation program among adolescents in vocational training centers": study protocol.

Background: Most of the efforts to reduce teenagers' tobacco addiction have focused on smoking prevention and little on smoking cessation. A smoking cessation program (TABADO study), associating pharmacologic and cognitive-behavioural strategy, on a particularly vulnerable population (vocational trainees), was developed. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the program which was offered to all smokers in a population aged 15 to 20 years in Vocational Training Centers (VTC).