byssinosis

Etiology: - inhalation of cotton, flax or hemp dust Epidemiology: 1) cotton mill workers 2) carding rooms provide greatest exposure Pathology: 1) mechanism of injury is unknown 2) IgE is not involved Clinical manifestations: 1) on 1st day of the week a) cough b) paroxysmal wheezing c) dyspnea d) chest tightness 2) gradual resolution of symptoms as the week progresses 3) persistent exposure results in disease indistinguishable from COPD Special laboratory: - Pulmonary function testing: 1) decrease in FEV1 on the 1st day 2) lung function improves as the week progresses Management: 1) prevention of exposure to cotton, flax or hemp dust 2) smoking cessation

References

Mayo Internal Medicine Board Review, 1998-99, Prakash UBS (ed) Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 1998, pg 759