Risk factors for fatal and nonfatal reactions to immunotherapy (2008-2018): postinjection monitoring and severe asthma.

Background: Subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) is highly effective but risks exist.

Objective: To identify practices that influence systemic allergic reactions (SRs) to SCIT and SCIT-associated infections.

Methods: Members of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology completed an annual survey of SCIT-related SRs of varying severity (2008-2018).

Cleaning agent usage in healthcare professionals and relationship to lung and skin symptoms.

Background And Objectives: Healthcare workers have an increased risk of respiratory symptoms and dermatitis, likely related to cleaning/disinfecting agents. The aim of this study was to identify work tasks and cleaning/disinfecting agents associated with respiratory symptoms and hand dermatitis among healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital.

Methods: Cleaning agent usage, respiratory symptoms and skin symptoms were recorded by participants using a questionnaire in a cross-sectional study.

Sleep before and after work-related concussion: Sex differences in effects and functional outcomes.

Background: Recent studies have started disentangling components of disturbed sleep as part of the post-concussive syndrome, but little is known about the workers with an injury' perspectives on post-injury sleep changes or what causes these changes.

Objectives: To determine the effects of work-related concussion/mild traumatic brain injury (wr-mTBI) on perceptions of refreshing sleep in workers with an injury and to identify the relevant factors responsible for sleep changes.

Methods: We studied post-concussive changes in sleep in 66 adults (50% male workers, 42% aged 30-50 years, median post-injury days: 155) who had sustained wr-mTBI and experienced functional limitations long after the injury.

Work-related traumatic brain injury: A brief report on workers perspective on job and health and safety training, supervision, and injury preventability.

Background: Although work-related injuries are on the decline, rates of work-related traumatic brain injury (wrTBI) continue to rise. As even mild wrTBI can result in cognitive, behavioural, and functional impairments that can last for months and even years, injury prevention is a primary research focus. Administrative claims data have provided valuable insights into the mechanisms that cause wrTBI; however, data from the perspective of injured workers on wrTBI prevention is limited.

AAAAI/ACAAI Subcutaneous Immunotherapy Surveillance Study (2013-2017): Fatalities, Infections, Delayed Reactions, and Use of Epinephrine Autoinjectors.

Background: Subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) is highly effective but safety risks exist.

Objective: The aims of this study were to: (1) identify clinical practices that could influence fatal and nonfatal systemic allergic reactions (SRs) to SCIT, and (2) identify SCIT-associated infections.

Methods: From 2008 to 2016, 27% to 51% of American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology/American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology members completed an annual survey of SCIT-related SRs of varying severity.

Comparison of clinic models for patients with work-related asthma.

Background: Work-related asthma (WRA) is a prevalent occupational lung disease that is associated with undesirable effects on psychological status, quality of life (QoL), workplace activity and socioeconomic status. Previous studies have also indicated that clinic structure may impact outcomes among patients with asthma.

Aims: To identify the impact of clinic structure on psychological status, QoL, workplace limitations and socioeconomic status of patients with WRA among two different tertiary clinic models.

Dupuytren's contracture and handwork: A case-control study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the association between Dupuytren's contracture (DC), repetitive handwork (RHW), heavy handwork (HHW), and/or vibration exposure.

Methods: Frequency and intensity of the three types of handwork were collected and compared between DC patients and controls. Hours of work were weighted by average "frequency," for RHW, and average "intensity," for HHW and use of vibrating tool.

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

Objective: 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).

Methods: 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.

B-vitamin Supplementation Mitigates Effects of Fine Particles on Cardiac Autonomic Dysfunction and Inflammation: A Pilot Human Intervention Trial.

Ambient fine particle (PM) pollution triggers acute cardiovascular events. Individual-level preventions are proposed to complement regulation in reducing the global burden of PM-induced cardiovascular diseases. We determine whether B vitamin supplementation mitigates PM effects on cardiac autonomic dysfunction and inflammation in a single-blind placebo-controlled crossover pilot trial.

Evaluation of the efficacy of a web-based work-related asthma educational tool.

Background: Work-related asthma (WRA) has been estimated to account for 15-20% of adult asthma cases. Studies have indicated that a substantial number of asthma patients have inadequate knowledge of work-related effects on their disease, which may contribute to suboptimal asthma control. A Canadian web-based educational tool on WRA was developed to address this knowledge gap in the population.

Risk factors for fatal and nonfatal reactions to subcutaneous immunotherapy: National surveillance study on allergen immunotherapy (2008-2013).

Background: In 2008, an annual surveillance study of systemic reactions (SRs) from subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) injections was initiated in North America.

Objective: To define the incidence of SRs to SCIT.

Methods: From 2008 to 2013, 27% to 51% of American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology and American College of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology members completed an annual survey of SCIT-related SRs of varying severity.

The development and test re-test reliability of a work-related asthma screening questionnaire.

Objective: Work-related asthma (WRA) is under-recognized and delays in recognition contribute to long-term morbidity. The objective of the project was to develop a WRA screening questionnaire for use by primary care providers in the assessment of individuals with asthma, and to evaluate the respondent burden, test re-test reliability and face validity of the questionnaire.

Methods: A literature search was undertaken and an expert advisory committee was convened.

Diisocyanate and non-diisocyanate sensitizer-induced occupational asthma frequency during 2003 to 2007 in Ontario, Canada.

Objective: To investigate proportions and outcomes of isocyanate and other causes of occupational asthma (OA) claims in Ontario, Canada, 2003 to 2007.

Methods: New accepted workers' compensation claims for OA compensated by the Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: There were 112 allowed claims for OA-30 (26.

AAAAI/ACAAI surveillance study of subcutaneous immunotherapy, years 2008-2012: an update on fatal and nonfatal systemic allergic reactions.

Background: Before 2002, there were an estimated 3.4 fatal reactions per year to subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT). Recent incidences of SCIT-related systemic allergic reactions (SR) and fatal reactions are not well defined.

Work-exacerbated asthma in a workers' compensation population.

Background: Asthma is becoming more prevalent with large numbers of individuals suffering from work-exacerbated asthma.

Aims: To examine the characteristics of workplace exposures and working days lost in relation to work-exacerbated asthma (WEA) in a workers' compensation population.

Methods: An analysis of accepted workers' compensation asthma claims in Ontario over a 5-year period.

The effect of hand-arm vibration syndrome on quality of life.

Background: It is important to determine how hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), a common occupational condition, affects quality of life (QOL).

Aims: To measure the physical (SF12-P) and mental (SF12-M) components of QOL in workers with HAVS, using the SF12 questionnaire, and to determine the effect of the vascular, sensorineural and musculoskeletal components of HAVS on QOL.

Methods: Subjects were recruited consecutively from workers with HAVS attending an occupational medicine clinic.

Development of a web-based, work-related asthma educational tool for patients with asthma.

Background: Asthma is a common chronic condition. Work-related asthma (WRA) has a large socioeconomic impact and is increasing in prevalence but remains under-recognized. Although international guidelines recommend patient education, no widely available educational tool exists.

Impact of a cleaners' strike on compensation claims for asthma among teachers in Ontario.

Background: A review of Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) claims in Ontario from 1998 to 2002 showed an unusual spike in the number of claims accepted for work-exacerbated asthma (WEA) in April 2001.

Objective: To identify the cause for the spike in the number of WSIB claims for WEA in April 2001.

Methods: File reviews were performed to identify the occupations of workers with claims accepted for WEA in April 2001 compared with claims during March and May 2001, and during the same months in 2000 and 2002.

Flock worker's lung disease: natural history of cases and exposed workers in Kingston, Ontario.

Background: The natural history of flock worker's lung (FWL) and longitudinal lung function changes in nylon flock-exposed workers have not been well characterized.

Methods: Symptoms, pulmonary function testing, and chest radiographs from five index cases, subsequent case referrals, and screened employees of a flocking plant in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, were compared and analyzed for changes over time (variable follow-up intervals between 1991 and 2011).

Results: Nine cases and 30 flock-exposed workers without FWL were identified.