[Occupational asthma in the Tunisian central region: etiologies and professional status].

OBJECTIVE

To study the etiologies of occupational asthma and determine its impact on the professional status of asthmatic subjects.

METHODS

The authors carried out a descriptive study on all of the cases of asthma recognized as an occupational disease and declared in the private sector over nine years (2000-2008) in the Tunisian central region.

RESULTS

Cases (219) of occupational asthma were listed, accounting for 16.8% of all of the occupational diseases recognized during the period studied. Occupational asthma concerned young adults (40±8.2 years), with a predominance of women (67.7%). The textile sector dominated (74.9%). The majority of the employees were exposed to high molecular weight allergens (82.3%) and cotton dust was the principal offending agent (75.3%). Involuntary unemployment was observed in about half of the cases (46.6%) and was associated with an age lower or equal to 35 years (p = 0.01) and under 15 years of professional seniority (p=0.03).

CONCLUSION

Occupational asthma in the Tunisian central region prevails in the textile sector thereby justifying the reinforcement of preventive measures in this branch of industry.