The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma
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Asthma is a common and costly public health problem. Occupational exposures contribute to the burden of asthma. Identifying workplace exposures and industries and occupations at risk can lead to more effective prevention measures. ⋯ Washington State has an abundance of plant-material-related WRA cases among US states conducting WRA surveillance. Washington State's industry mix might explain the higher prevalence of cases, particularly its logging and wood processing industries and as a world leader in hops production. In Washington, further WRA prevention efforts should emphasize workplaces working with plant materials.
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The influence of obesity on airway responsiveness remains controversial. ⋯ Airway responsiveness is not related to BMI or to SAS. AHR in severely obese patients might be related to distal airway obstruction or low relative airway size.