Lungs at Work

Susie Schofield

Assessment of cancer biomarkers in the Grenfell firefighter cohort study

Article
Using next-generation sequencing and a panel that detects pathogenic DNA variants linked to various cancers, we analysed a subset of 261 firefighters. Our findings revealed that 11 firefighters carried pathogenic DNA variants associated with cancer, but we found no association between fire smoke exposure and the presence of these variants.

Follow-up survey of patients with occupational asthma

Article
Using a postal questionnaire, we surveyed all patients attending our specialist occupational lung disease clinic 1 year after having received a diagnosis of OA due to a sensitizer (n = 125). We enquired about their current health and employment status and impact of their diagnosis on various aspects of their life. Additional information was collected by review of clinical records.

Laboratory animal allergy is preventable in modern research facilities

Article
We surveyed 750 laboratory animal workers and measured airborne Mus m 1 (mouse allergen) levels in seven UK institutions. We compared the prevalence of sensitisation to mouse proteins (by specific IgE assay or skin prick test) and of work-related allergic symptoms in IVC-only and open cage units.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and breathlessness in older workers predict economic inactivity. A prospective cohort study

Article

Rationale

There is an aspiration to retain increasing numbers of older workers in employment, and strategies to achieve this need to make provision for the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases with age. There is a consistent body of cross-sectional evidence that suggests that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are more likely to have adverse employment outcomes.

Objectives

We report the findings of the first longitudinal study of this issue.

Methods

Susie Schofield

Statistician consultant

Susie is a statistician and has worked with the Lungs At Work team on a range of occupational cohorts and epidemiological studies, including SPIRAL and an occupational COPD study. She currently advises on and conducts statistical analyses on the Grenfell Firefighter Study and the ADVANCE study, a 20-year study investigating the long-term medical and psychosocial outcomes of UK battlefield casualties from Afghanistan.