The following is a summary of “Issue 3-The occupational burden of respiratory diseases, an update,” published in the May 2024 issue of Pulmonology by Murgia et al.
Workplace exposures are well-recognized as significant contributors to a spectrum of respiratory diseases, including traditional occupational lung conditions like silicosis and asbestosis, as well as more common ailments such as asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and infectious pneumonia. Following the 2019 joint statement by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS) on the occupational burden of respiratory diseases, this narrative review aims to synthesize recent evidence since that statement.
Researcher’s review reaffirms the pivotal role of occupational exposures in the etiology of these respiratory conditions, with a notable increase in publications regarding asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis, and infectious pneumonia over the past five years. However, the literature on other diseases remains sparse.
Traditional occupational lung diseases like silicosis and asbestosis continue to pose significant burdens, particularly in developing regions where new sources of exposure persist alongside historical ones. This updated understanding highlights the ongoing relevance of occupational exposures in causing these diseases and contributing substantially to the broader landscape of respiratory health challenges. Such insights are crucial for informing preventive strategies among public health professionals and guiding clinical practices among healthcare providers, underscoring the need for collaborative efforts to mitigate occupational respiratory risks effectively.
Source: sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S253104372400045X
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