Physiologic Characterization of Occupational Asthma

描述：这个特别强调研究奖将提供一个机会， 一个年轻的职业流行病学家从常规的现场研究中解脱出来 负责开发自己的尖端分子研究 生物标志物，并获得培训和经验， 现代纵向生物统计学方法在职业病中的应用 呼吸道流行病学该项目将最大限度地利用大型和 资金充足的正在进行的以社区为基础的职业性哮喘研究和 哈佛的深度和广度的学术环境。 职业性哮喘（OA）占哮喘的5%至36%， 成年人和职业接触是导致 成人哮喘患者早期发现和干预对于原发性哮喘至关重要 以及OA的二级预防。不幸的是， OA的临床表现知之甚少，易于无创测量 OA的生物标志物是非常需要的。基于呼气峰的当前方法 流（PEF）日记是努力依赖的，努力的质量和 记录无法控制。该项目将通过以下方式满足这些迫切需要： 阐明四种与工作有关的哮喘气流之间的关系 舍伍德伯奇描述的PEF日记和观察到的WRAAP模式（WRAAP） 使用便携式电子肺活量计，以及更复杂的生理和 气道炎症的非侵入性生物标志物。这项研究将奠定 这些新方法的应用基础不仅在未来的职业 流行病学研究，而且在工业筛查和门诊诊所。 因此，这项研究将为改善检测和预防 OA。

DESCRIPTION: This Special Emphasis Research Award will provide an opportunity for a young occupational epidemiologist to be released from routine field study responsibilities to develop her own cutting edge research on molecular biomarkers in exhaled breath and to gain training and experience in the application of modern longitudinal biostatistical methods in occupational respiratory epidemiology. This project will take maximum advantage of large and well-funded ongoing community-based studies of occupational asthma and of the depth and breadth of Harvard?s academic environment. Occupational asthma (OA) accounts for 5 percent to 36 percent of asthma in adults and occupational exposure are major contributors to morbidity among adult asthmatics. Early detection and intervention are essential for primary as well as secondary prevention of OA. Unfortunately, the physiologic manifestations of OA are poorly understood and easily measured noninvasive biomarkers of OA are sorely needed. Current methods based on peak expiratory flow (PEF) diaries are effort dependent and the quality of the efforts and records cannot be controlled. This project will address these pressing needs by illuminating the relationship between the four work-related asthmatic airflow patterns (WRAAP) described by Sherwood Burge for PEF diaries and WRAAP observed using portable electronic spirometers, and a more sophisticated physiologic and noninvasive biomarker of airway inflammation. This study will lay the foundation for application of these new methods not only in future occupational epidemiologic studies, but also in industrial screening and outpatient clinics. Thus, this study will light a path toward improved detection and prevention of OA.