Publications
Environmental and occupational exposures in interstitial lung disease
Purpose of review
We highlight recent advances in the understanding of how environmental and occupational exposures increase the risk of developing interstitial lung disease (ILD), and how to evaluate a patient for potential exposures.
Recent findings
Exacerbation patterns in adults with asthma in England. A population-based study
Rationale: Asthma is heterogeneous and knowledge on exacerbation patterns is lacking. Previous studies have had a relatively short follow-up or focused on severe disease.
Objectives: To describe exacerbation patterns over a prolonged follow-up in a population that includes patients of all disease severity.
Follow-up survey of patients with occupational asthma
Laboratory animal allergy is preventable in modern research facilities
Learning to speak up and to learn differently
We are delighted to introduce an issue of FHJ in which we have focused our minds, and hopefully those of our readers, on the ever-present activity of all clinicians (and humans) – learning. This is such a wide topic, so we have considered a number of different dimensions with the confidence that these will stimulate interest, debate and discussion. Firstly, we have considered the important issue of learning to speak up in our workplaces.
Measurement of specific IgG4 anti-mouse urine antibodies
IgG4 and its role in immune tolerance has been investigated widely. Symptom reduction and improved clinical outcomes in immunotherapy trials are associated with significant increases in allergen-specific IgG4 antibodies. Natural immune tolerance observed in beekeepers and cat owners has also been associated with elevated levels of bee venom and cat allergen-specific IgG4, respectively. Functionally, allergen-specific IgG4 has been shown to reduce the binding of IgE-allergen complexes to B cells, a key step in the initiation of the type 1 hypersensitivity allergic response.
Mortality risk associated with occupational exposures in people with small airways obstruction
Background
Small airways obstruction (SAO) has been associated with occupational exposures. Whether exposure to harmful occupational agents impacts the survival of people with SAO is unknown. Our aim was to estimate the mortality risk associated with occupational exposures among people with SAO.
Methods
Neurological disorders in Northern Tanzania: A 6-year prospective hospital-based case series
Occupational contributions to Interstitial Lung Disease
- Globally, coal workers pneumoconiosis, silicosis, and asbestosis remain the most important pneumoconioses.
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and asbestosis can be challenging to differentiate clinically, and there is clear evidence for an occupational contribution to IPF.
- Bacterial contamination of metal working fluid has recently emerged as an important cause of occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Occupational exposure to particulate matter and staff sickness absence on the London underground
The London Underground (LU) employs over 19,000 staff, some of whom are exposed to elevated concentrations of particulate matter (PM) within the network. This study quantified the occupational exposure of LU staff to subway PM and investigated the possible association with sickness absence (SA).
A job exposure matrix to quantify subway PM2.5 staff exposure was developed by undertaking measurement campaigns across the LU network. The association between exposure and SA was evaluated using zero-inflated mixed-effects negative binomial models.
