Medical workplace exposures, atopy and asthma in nurses

描述（由申请人提供）：本研究的主要目的是评估护士中与过敏、哮喘和肺功能相关的暴露。这项研究将涉及对欧洲共同体呼吸健康调查（ECRHS）数据的分析，这是一项对欧洲、澳大利亚和美国约7000名年轻人的一般人群样本的后续研究。第一个具体目标是评估在一系列行业和医疗机构（包括医院、诊所和私人卫生保健办公室）工作的专业护士在工作场所接触呼吸道刺激物和致敏物的情况。第二个具体目标是评估这种暴露是否会导致呼吸道症状的发生和肺功能下降。分析将检查新发哮喘和过敏症状的频率和严重程度，先前有症状个体的症状恶化，先前无症状个体的致敏性，以及频繁和/或严重症状的行为后果。此外，这项研究还将邀请博士后参与ECRHS的其他哮喘研究，包括评估其他非工业工作场所（如办公楼和学校）的潜在职业暴露，以及评估基因与环境的相互作用。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The main objective of this research is to evaluate exposures associated with allergy, asthma and lung function among nurses. The research will involve analysis of data from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS), a follow-up study of a general population sample of approximately 7000 young adults in Europe, Australia and the US. The first specific aim is to evaluate workplace exposure to respiratory irritants and sensitizers among professional nurses employed in a range of industries and medical settings, including hospitals, clinics, and private health care offices. The second specific aim is to assess whether such exposures contribute to the incidence of respiratory symptoms and lung function decline. Analyses will examine the frequency and severity of new onset asthma and allergy symptoms, exacerbation of symptoms in previously symptomatic individuals, sensitization of previously asymptomatic individuals, and behavioral consequences of the frequent and/or severe symptoms. In addition, this research will also engage the postdoctoral fellow in other asthma studies within the ECRHS, including assessing potential occupational exposures in other non industrial workplaces, such as office buildings and schools, and assessing gene-environment interactions.