Prospective Impact of Psychiatric Disorders on Employment Status and Health Care Use in Patients Investigated for Occupational Asthma

OBJECTIVE: We previously reported high rates (34%) of psychiatric disorders (PSY) in patients evaluated for occupational asthma (OA). We determined the impact of PSY on employment status and health care use 12 to 18 months later. METHODS: One hundred ninety-six patients underwent clinical and psychiatric interviews on the day of their OA evaluation. Patients were re-contacted 12to 18 months later to assess employment status and health care use. RESULTS: Results indicated that patients with a PSY at baseline were less likely to be employed (adjusted odds ratio = 2.88; 95% confidence interval = 1.29 to 6.44) irrespective of final medical diagnosis (including OA), and had higher rates of emergency visits (35% vs 19%, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Psychiatric morbidity is common in this population and associated with lower employment rates and greater use of emergency services. Greater efforts should be made to assess and treat PSY in this population.