An American study has suggested that people who suffer asthma as a result of their work are often not discussing it with their doctor for fear of them losing their job.
The study, published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, surveyed 50,000 employed adults throughout America via telephone interviews conducted between 2006 and 2010.
It found that just 15 per cent of employed adults suffering with asthma spoke to their doctor about how their work might have affected their condition, despite 46 per cent of employed adults with asthma having potentially developed the condition as a result of their work environment.
“Work-related asthma is underdiagnosed and under-recognized,” said Dr. Jacek Mazurek, lead author of the study and Public Health Surveillance team leader at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. “A thorough occupational history is critical to first establishing a diagnosis of work-related asthma, and then putting measures in place to prevent further exposure, or to treat it.
“Unfortunately, many people may believe that nothing can be done, or may worry about losing their jobs, so are reluctant to address the topic with their doctor.”
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