Abstract
Methods
We analyzed 2006–2009 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Asthma Call-back Survey data for ever-employed adults with
current asthma from 38 states and District of Columbia. Individuals with work-related asthma had been told by a doctor or
other health professional that their asthma was related to any job they ever had. Health-related quality of life indicators
included poor self-rated health, impaired physical health, impaired mental health, and activity limitation. We calculated
prevalence ratios (PRs) adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, employment, and health insurance.
current asthma from 38 states and District of Columbia. Individuals with work-related asthma had been told by a doctor or
other health professional that their asthma was related to any job they ever had. Health-related quality of life indicators
included poor self-rated health, impaired physical health, impaired mental health, and activity limitation. We calculated
prevalence ratios (PRs) adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, employment, and health insurance.
Results
Of ever-employed adults with current asthma, an estimated 9.0 % had work-related asthma, 26.9 % had poor self-rated health,
20.6 % had impaired physical health, 18.2 % had impaired mental health, and 10.2 % had activity limitation. Individuals with
work-related asthma were significantly more likely than those with non-work-related asthma to have poor self-rated health
[PR, 1.45; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.31–1.60], impaired physical health (PR, 1.60; 95 % CI, 1.42–1.80), impaired mental
health (PR, 1.55; 95 % CI, 1.34–1.80), and activity limitation (PR, 2.16; 95 % CI, 1.81–2.56).
20.6 % had impaired physical health, 18.2 % had impaired mental health, and 10.2 % had activity limitation. Individuals with
work-related asthma were significantly more likely than those with non-work-related asthma to have poor self-rated health
[PR, 1.45; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.31–1.60], impaired physical health (PR, 1.60; 95 % CI, 1.42–1.80), impaired mental
health (PR, 1.55; 95 % CI, 1.34–1.80), and activity limitation (PR, 2.16; 95 % CI, 1.81–2.56).
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s11136-012-0206-7
- Authors
- Gretchen E. Knoeller, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1095 Willowdale Rd., MS HG-900, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
- Jacek M. Mazurek, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1095 Willowdale Rd., MS HG-900, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
- Jeanne E. Moorman, National Center for Environmental Health, CDC, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
- Journal Quality of Life Research
- Online ISSN 1573-2649
- Print ISSN 0962-9343