Outcome of occupational asthma due to platinum salts

Journal article

Asthma due to platinum salts is an important cause of occupational asthma. We studied a group of 73 subjects from a platinum refinery 21months (2-42) after leaving employment. There were 30 subjects who left because of sensitivity or allergy to platinum salts (the cases). The other 43 subjects left for non-medical reasons (the control group). Each subject was examined by modified MRC respiratory questionnaire, spirometry, skin prick test to platinum salts and common allergens and bronchial responsiveness to either cold air or exercise. At leaving, 21 of the cases had a positive skin test to platinum salts. These cases were removed on average one month after the positive skin test. 19 cases (63%) left because of chest symptoms. One subject (3%) had nasal problems only and 8 (27%) had chest and either skin and/or nasal symptoms. Two subjects had been removed because of positive skin test but no symptoms. At the time of follow-up cases reported productive cough, wheeze, chest tightness and breathlessness more often than non cases which reached significance for breathlessness (p<0.001). Only one subject had a positive skin test to platinum salts. 24% of the cases and 20% of non cases had more than 10% fall to either FEV1 or PEF following cold air or exercise testing respectively. No significant difference was found in lung function or bronchial responsiveness to exercise or cold air between cases or non cases. This prognosis is unsusually good for occupational asthma after leaving exposure. We suggest this may be due to early diagnosis and rapid removal of sensitised workers.

Authors: Assoufi, B; Venables, K; Cook, A; Stevens, J; Dally, M

• Journal: Thorax
• Volume: 51
• Issue: SUPPL. 3
• Publication date: 1996-12-01
• ISSN: 0040-6376
• Language: English