New onset of asthma and job status change among world trade center responders and workers.

BACKGROUND

Despite the high rates, the consequences of new onset asthma among the World Trade Center (WTC) responders in terms of the change in job status have not been studied.

METHODS

This study consists of a cohort of 8132 WTC responders out of the total 25 787 responders who held a full-time job at the baseline visit, and participated in at least one follow-up visit.

RESULTS

Overall, 34% of the study cohort changed their job status from full-time at a follow-up visit. Multivariable models showed that asthmatics were respectively 27% and 47% more likely to have any job status change and get retired, and twice as likely to become disabled as compared to non-asthmatics.

CONCLUSIONS

With asthma incidence from WTC exposure, negative job status change should be considered as a potential long-term consequence of WTC exposure.