Occupational lung diseases (Asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease and different pulmonary fibrosis) are still important and prevalent occupationally caused diseases. Prevention is the cornerstone in the treatment, and there is a strong need to disseminate current scientific knowledge in this field to occupational physicians, allergists, chest physicians and researchers in the field.
Main topics
• Asthma and COPD – one syndrome with different phenotypes
• Occupational burden of disease: occupational and work-exacerbated asthma, COPD
• Assessment of occupational asthma; new diagnostic methods
• Preventive strategies for occupational asthma
• Chemical induced asthma - state-of-the art
• The management of the asthmatic worker in the workplace
• Preventive strategies for COPD
• COPD as an occupational disease
• Vocational guidance of the susceptible adolescent
• Restrictive lung diseases and fibroses
• Air pollution and asthma and COPD
• Gene-environment interaction
• Health effects of nano particles
Objectives
The purpose of the course is to provide the participants with an update of the most recent scientific knowledge, views and comprehensions of work-related asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and restrictive lung diseases. Special attention will be paid to preventive strategies, including early assessment of occupational and work-exacerbated asthma as well as COPD.
Background
Since 1980, NIVA has arranged eight courses on occupational respiratory disorders. The latest course focused on occupational lung diseases including asthma and COPD. The events have been well attended and appreciated.
During the last few years, it has become evident that a remarkable proportion of all new adult-onset asthma is attributable to occupational exposures. There is also convincing evidence showing that, by and large, a similar proportion of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is attributable to workplace exposures to dusts, gases and vapours. As both asthma and COPD are wide-spread diseases among the general population, the new knowledge may prove most valuable from the point of view of prevention, not only of occupational asthma, but adult-onset asthma in general as well as COPD.
Since the previous course in 2009, new information on prevention, early identification, diagnostics and management of occupational asthma has appeared. Although the information about work-exacerbated asthma is still meagre, the importance of this condition has also become increasingly recognized. In addition, during the last years new data have appeared pointing to important occupational aspects of lung fibrosis and other restrictive lung diseases. The course will provide an in-depth review of relevant new scientific data.
Course structure and working method
The course is interactive. Time will be allocated for discussions, article reviews and panel discussions. Participants will be asked to do some home-work prior to the course. There will be a possibility for participants to bring their own posters (not necessarily new ones) which will be jointly discussed.
Organizing committee:
Kjell Torén, Sweden
Anna-Carin Olin, Sweden
Jonas Brisman, Sweden
Kristin Svendsen, Norway
Vivi Sclünsen, Denmark
Torben Sigsgaard, Denmark
Paula Pallasaho, Finland
Lecturers:
Maria Albin, Sweden
Lars Barregård, Sweden
Jonas Brisman, Sweden
Dick Heederik, The Netherlands
Catherine Lemiere, Canada
Benoit Nemery, Belgium
Bo Lundbäck, Sweden
Fredrik Nyberg, Sweden
Anna-Carin Olin, Sweden
Paula Pallasaho, Finland
Torben Sigsgaard, Denmark
Hille Suojalehto, Finland
Gerd Sällsten, Sweden
Kjell Torén, Sweden
Agnes Wold, Sweden
Venue and accommodation
The venue of the course, Säröhus Conference Hotel, is located on the beautiful peninsula of Särö, where the sea meets the nature reserves. Särö is located twenty kilometres south of Gothenburg. In this location, you can conference in a quiet harmonious environment. As a resident guest, you have free access to Särö Spa throughout your stay.
NIVA has reserved accommodation for the participants at the hotel. The total price of a single room with full board is EUR 1250/person, starting Sunday with dinner and closing with afternoon coffee on Thursday. The price includes accommodation, breakfast, conference coffees, lunch, dinner and the social program. A day-package is also possible; price EUR 350/person including conference coffees and lunch buffet. Please contact the course coordinator for other options. The price and the program are subject to minor changes.
For more information on the hotel, please visit the website: http://www.sarohus.se/en/index.html
Registration deadline
29 July 2012
Please register via NIVA's website
www.niva.org
Registration fee
EUR 590 EUR (accommodation and meals are not included in this price).
When paying the fee, please indicate clearly your name and course code 6207.
The payment should be made by 5 August 2012 to:
NIVA (VAT: 0496588-9)
Bank:
Nordea Bank Finland Plc
Meilahti Branch, Tukholmankatu 2
00250 Helsinki, Finland
Account no: 226238-2043
IBAN: FI79 2262 3800 0020 43
Swift code: NDEAFIHH
Cancellation and refund policy
Cancellations received by 5 August 2012; full refund.
Cancellations received after 5 August 2012; no refund.
A confirmation letter with detailed information on the payment of the accommodation as well as information about the practical arrangements will be sent to the participants after the registration deadline.
Language
The language of the course is English.
Scholarships
Finnish participants can apply for financial support from the Finnish Work Environment Fund (Työsuojelurahasto). Further information can be found on the website: www.tsr.org
Applicants from North-western Russia or the St. Petersburg area can apply for a NIVA scholarship to cover the course fee and accommodation. Please contact NIVA for further information.
Other Nordic and international participants can turn to their own national education authorities, the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Labour for financial support.
Course leader
Professor Kjell Torén, Senior consultant in clinical allergology and occupational medicine
Section of Occupational and environmental medicine
University of Gothenburg
Box 414
SE-405 30 Gothenburg
Phone: +46 317866262
Mobile: +46702190711
e-mail; Kjell.Toren@amm.gu.se
Course coordinator
Siv Jansson
NIVA
Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A
FI-00250 Helsinki
Tel. +358 30 474 2488
E-mail: siv.jansson@ttl.fi