Allergen-specific IgE sensitization and occupational exposure to irritants

<bold>Introduction:</bold> Atopy is a risk factor for high molecular weight sensitized occupational asthma, but its association with occupational exposure to irritants (OEI) has not been thoroughly studied. We investigated the association between OEI and IgE sensitization according to asthma status (no asthma, childhood- and adult-onset asthma). <bold>Methods:</bold> This cross-sectional study is based on 921 adult participants to the Epidemiological study of the Genetics and Environment of Asthma. Allergen-specific IgE (sIgE) sensitization, assessed by microarray technology, was expressed in number of sIgE sensitization and in profile of sensitization (through latent class analysis). OEI was evaluated by the occupational asthma-specific job-exposue matrix (Ref: non-exposed to any sensitizer/irritants). Adjusted regression models estimated the association of OEI with the number or the profiles of sIgE sensitization according to asthma status. <bold>Results:</bold> 30.6% and 23.3% participants were exposed to medium and high OEI. No association was observed between OEI and sIgE sensitization among adults without asthma or with childhood-onset asthma. Among adult-onset asthma, non-significant associations were observed between OEI and fewer sIgE sensitization (mean score ratio (95%CI) for medium and high exposures were 0.85(0.51-1.43), p=0.73 and 0.68(0.42-1.14), p=0.13), and to a lower risk for house dust mite predominant sIgE sensitization profile (OR (95%CI) =0.38(0.09-1.58), p=0.18 and 0.33(0.09-1.22), p=0.10). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> No significant association was found, but trends observed for lower sIgE associated with OEI warrants further investigations.