Publications by authors named "O VandenPlas"
Background: Exposure-related changes in exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and sputum eosinophils have not been thoroughly compared in the investigation of occupational asthma.
Objective: This study aimed at comparing the accuracies of the changes in FeNO concentrations and sputum eosinophil counts in identifying asthmatic reactions induced by occupational agents during specific inhalation challenges (SICs).
Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included 321 subjects who completed an assessment of FeNO and sputum eosinophils before and 24 h after SICs with various occupational agents, of whom 156 showed a positive result.
Article Synopsis
- The study evaluated the effectiveness of specific IgE (sIgE) testing for wheat and rye flour in diagnosing occupational asthma compared to a specific inhalation challenge (SIC), which is considered the gold standard.
- Results showed that sIgE levels of 0.35 kU/L or greater had similar diagnostic sensitivity and specificity to the SIC, but higher sIgE thresholds increased specificity significantly.
- The findings suggest that high sIgE levels can effectively indicate flour-induced occupational asthma, while low levels in patients with a positive SIC may correlate with lower T2 inflammatory biomarkers.
Introduction: The many substances used at the workplace that can cause sensitizer-induced occupational asthma are conventionally categorized into high-molecular-weight (HMW) agents and low-molecular-weight (LMW) agents, implying implicitly that these two categories of agents are associated with distinct phenotypic profiles and pathophysiological mechanisms.
Areas Covered: The authors conducted an evidence-based review of available data in order to identify the similarities and differences between HMW and LMW sensitizing agents.
Expert Opinion: Compared with LMW agents, HMW agents are associated with a few distinct clinical features (i.
Work-Related Asthma and Its Impact on Quality of Life and Work Productivity.
J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract
February 2024
Background: The impact of work-related asthma (WRA) on quality of life (QoL) and work productivity remains largely neglected/uncertain despite its high prevalence.
Objective: To investigate the association of WRA with QoL and work productivity as compared with subjects with non-WRA and those without asthma and rhinitis.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among workers during their periodic occupational health visit in Belgium.