| Document ID (ISN) | 101607 |
| CIS number |
03-633 |
| ISSN - Serial title |
0376-7639 - Médecine du travail & Ergonomie / Arbeidsgezondheitszorg & Ergonomie |
| Year |
2002 |
| Convention or series no. |
|
| Author(s) |
Vandenplas O., Larbanois A., Jamart J. |
| Title |
Socio-economic consequences of occupational asthma in Belgium |
| Bibliographic information |
2002, Vol.XXXIX, No.1, p.5-12. 17 ref. |
| Abstract |
In this study, the socio-economic status of 86 subjects with a diagnosis of occupational asthma ascertained by specific inhalation challenges was examined. The follow-up assessment was performed a median of 43 months after the diagnostic evaluation. At that time, 33% of the subjects remained exposed to the causal agent, 38% suffered persistent work disruption and 64% reported a reduction in income. A reduction in income was more frequent among those who avoided exposure. The loss of earnings was offset by the disability indemnity in only 22% of those subjects who benefited from compensation by the Belgian Workers' Compensation Board. Logistic regression analysis showed that old age and low education level were the most significant predictors of unemployment, while asthma severity influenced employment status only minimally. These data indicate that the compensation system should be further directed at improving rehabilitation programs in order to reduce adverse economic and employment consequences of occupational asthma. |
| Descriptors (primary) |
occupational diseases; Belgium; social aspects; economic aspects; asthma |
| Descriptors (secondary) |
compensation of occupational diseases; rehabilitation; unemployment; inhalation tests; long-term study |
| Document type |
D - Periodical articles |
| Country / State or Province | Belgium |
| Subject(s) |
Occupational pathology
|
| Broad subject area(s) |
Occupational medicine, epidemiology
|
| Browse category(ies) |
Economic aspects
Diseases of the respiratory system (except for pneumoconiosis & similar)
|
