Abstract

The physical activity level (PAL) and clinical features were poorly compared in occupational asthma (OA) with allergic asthma (AA). Aim: To compare the PAL, clinical control, and airway inflammation in people with OA and AA. Methods: Thirty-five subjects with OA and 28 with AA, 18-65 years old were evaluated. First visit: asthma control questionnaire (ACQ), asthma quality of life questionnaire (AQLQ), hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), and accelerometer were used. After 7 days: fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 expression by ELISA were measured. Results: The data showed OA sedentary (SED) 7063±2031 vs. Actives (ACV) 126331±600; AA SED 6317±2187 vs. 12757±2187 total steps, p<0.05; and asthma controlled (OA SED 1.27±3.6 vs. ACV 1.04±3.7; AA SED 0.93±3.7 vs. ACV 1.50±3.6 score, p>0.05. There was no difference in the AQLQ total score (OA SED 4.07±3.2 vs. ACV 4.71±3.0; AA SED 4.64±3.1 vs. ACV 4.66±3.0. However, there was high levels of anxiety symptoms for OA SED 9.62±4.3 vs. ACV 9.27±4.4, and AA SED 9.23±5.5 vs. ACV 10.1±5.2 scores, p<0.05. But without depression symptoms. The FeNO was increased for OA SED (61.6±46.9 ppb) when compared with other groups, p<0.05. The IL-4 was increased for OA SED 4.87±3.6 vs. ACV 4.52±3.66 if compared with AA SED 1.19±1.4 vs. ACV 0.86±0.9, p<0.05; also as IL-5: OA SED 4.48±3.37 vs. ACV 6.64±5.15; AA SED 1.82±1.5 vs. ACV 1.55±1.1 pg/dL, p<0.05. Conclusion: The OA group showed more inflammation than AA. The pulmonary rehabilitation program with aerobic exercise moderate/intense is recommended for OA, since clinical treatment and PAL are insufficient to reduce the airway inflammation