Associations Between Occupational Exposures and Cough Subclasses Among Middle‐Aged Australians
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The evidence around occupation-related chronic cough is conflicting and current definitions of chronic cough cannot capture its heterogeneity. Using our recently characterised novel cough subclasses, we aimed to identify subclass-specific occupational risks. METHODS: Using data from the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study (TAHS), occupational exposures up to age 53 years were coded using the ALOHA+ Job Exposure Matrix, into ever-exposure (no, only-low, ever-high) and cumulative exposure. People belonging to six previously identified cough subclasses among 2213 current coughers at age 53 years were compared to non-coughers (n = 1396). Associations with occupational exposures were assessed using multinomial logistic regression for these cough subclasses and logistic regression for standard definitions (chronic cough, chronic phlegm, and chronic bronchitis) after adjusting for potential confounders. RESULTS: Biological dust was associated with "cough with allergies" (cumulative: adjusted multinomial odds ratio [aMOR] = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02-1.10, per 10 exposure-year increase). Aromatic solvents were associated with "chronic dry cough" (cumulative: aMOR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.02-1.29). Other solvents were associated with "chronic productive cough" (ever-high: aMOR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.26-6.2); "intermittent productive cough" (cumulative: aMOR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.98-1.16), chronic bronchitis (ever-high: aOR = 2.48, 95% CI: 1.01-6.06); and chronic phlegm (ever-high: aOR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.14-4.51). Herbicides (cumulative) were also associated with "intermittent productive cough" (aOR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.00-1.77) and chronic phlegm (aOR = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.00-1.15). CONCLUSION: Novel cough subclasses had distinct associations with specific occupational exposures, suggesting different pathophysiology. Aromatic solvents were associated with dry cough; biological dust with allergic cough; herbicides and other solvents with productive cough. Using novel cough subclasses was superior to standard definitions in uncovering these associations.
Source: Respirology
DOI: 10.1111/resp.70040
Institutions: The University of Melbourne, Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Federation University, Monash University, Queensland University of Technology, Charles Darwin University, Menzies School of Health Research, Utrecht University, Monash Health, UNSW Sydney, Prince of Wales Hospital, La Trobe University, Telstra (Australia), University of Tasmania
Language: English
Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,330
Awards: Can we make breathing easier while ageing?, A collaborative and international study of bronchiectasis in Indigenous children., Providing translatable evidence to advance prevention and management of COPD: a longitudinal study from the 1st to 7th decade of life, Centre of Research Excellence in preventing and managing bronchiectasis, especially in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children, Healthy Lungs for Life: A Life Course Approach to Reduce COPD
OpenAlex ID: W4409147522