P-485 Medical Expertise Assessment in Occupational Asthma: Cases Study

Abstract Background Occupational asthma is one of the most commonly reported occupational respiratory diseases in industrialized countries. Identification of common causative agents and clinical symptoms through medical expertise is necessary to be eligible for compensation. Methods All cases of occupational asthma diagnosed from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2022 through medical expertise were included in the study of Casablanca Medico Legal Institute. Results A total of six cases of confirmed occupational asthma were identified. Of these, one was sensitizer-induced and five were irritant-induced asthma. Low molecular-weight agents like isocyanates, phthalates, pulverized vegetable gums, inhalation of acid anhydrides and wooden dusts were being the most common causal agents in our cases. The majority of cases emanated from the Engineering, Chemical, agriculture and Food industries. Latency period from first exposure to development of symptoms was surprisingly long: between 2 and 20 years and a median of eight years. The time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis was also long for one case (19 years) and a mean of 2 years in the rest of cases. the examination found. Clinical and radiological symptoms led to the assessment of diagnosis of occupational asthma. Mild to severe respiratory insufficiency was discovered throughout the expertise examination and the rate of permanent partial impairment after expert’s assessment was from 30% to 60%. Discussion and conclusion In order to reduce the burden of disease and impairment, medical surveillance, quick diagnosis, qualified medical management, and use of workplace prevention measures are crucial. Keywords: Asthma; occupational disease; causal agents; expertise; workplace.