Nordman H, Keskinen H, Tuppurainen M
J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1985 Jan;75(1 Pt 1):91-9. doi: 10.1016/0091-6749(85)90018-1.
A total of 230 persons who had been exposed to formaldehyde and suffered from asthma-like respiratory symptoms were examined between January 1, 1977, and May 31, 1983. All the subjects had a bronchial provocation test with formaldehyde. On the basis of the medical and occupational history of the patients, the specific bronchial provocation test, and other test results, 12 cases were considered to be caused by specific sensitization to formaldehyde. All subjects had been exposed occupationally. An exposure period of between 1 mo and 19 yr preceded the onset of symptoms. Three persons displayed no bronchial hyperreactivity as assessed with a histamine or metacholine provocation test. Eleven of the 12 reactions were triggered by about 2.5 mg/m3 and one reaction by about 1.2 mg/m3 of formaldehyde. The late reaction in 1 patient was completely blocked by the inhalation of 100 micrograms of beclomethasone di-isoproprionate before the challenge with formaldehyde. Seventy-one of the 218 subjects who did not react when they were challenged with formaldehyde demonstrated bronchial hyperreactivity. We conclude that formaldehyde asthma, although apparently a rare disease, is under reported. Removal from exposure has a favorable effect on the symptoms. Low domestic exposures, however, may maintain the symptoms in individuals already sensitized.
1977年1月1日至1983年5月31日期间，共对230名接触过甲醛并患有哮喘样呼吸道症状的人员进行了检查。所有受试者均接受了甲醛支气管激发试验。根据患者的病史和职业史、特异性支气管激发试验及其他检查结果，12例被认为是对甲醛特异性致敏所致。所有受试者均有职业性接触史。症状出现前的接触期为1个月至19年。3人经组胺或乙酰甲胆碱激发试验评估无支气管高反应性。12例反应中有11例由约2.5 mg/m³甲醛诱发，1例由约1.2 mg/m³甲醛诱发。1例患者在甲醛激发试验前吸入100微克二丙酸倍氯米松后，迟发反应完全被阻断。218名在甲醛激发试验中无反应的受试者中有71名表现出支气管高反应性。我们得出结论，甲醛哮喘虽然显然是一种罕见疾病，但报告不足。脱离接触对症状有良好影响。然而，家庭中低水平接触可能会使已致敏个体的症状持续存在。
