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Rajnoveanu AG, Rajnoveanu RM, Motoc NS, Postolache P, Gusetu G, Man MA. COPD in Firefighters: A Specific Event-Related Condition Rather than a Common Occupational Respiratory Disorder. Medicina (B Aires) 2022; 58:medicina58020239. [PMID: 35208563 PMCID: PMC8878660 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58020239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Smoking remains the most important risk factor, but occupational exposures may play an essential role as well. Firefighters are among occupations regularly exposed to a variety of irritative inhalational products, and they may be expected to develop respiratory health problems because of such an occupational exposure. To better understand and characterize this relationship, we performed an extensive search of the scientific literature, and we identified two major research areas: firefighters exposed to wildland fire smoke and firefighters involved in the World Trade Centre disaster-related operations. Most of the studies did not report a significant increase in COPD diagnosis in firefighters. An accelerated rate of decline in lung function was seen, a short time after major exposure events. This is the reason for an increased rate of exacerbations observed in individuals already diagnosed with obstructive respiratory disorders. A limited number of studies not covering these specific circumstances of exposure were found. They reported long-term morbidity and mortality data, and the results are controversial. Major confounding factors for most of the studies were the “healthy worker effect” and the lack of useful data regarding smoking habits. Efforts should be made in the future to better characterize specific biomarkers for the progression of COPD; to establish exposure limits; and to implement preventive strategies like rotation of workers, smoking cessation programs, and long-term monitoring programs for respiratory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armand-Gabriel Rajnoveanu
- Occupational Medicine Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Ruxandra-Mioara Rajnoveanu
- Palliative Medicine Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-742-029662
| | - Nicoleta Stefania Motoc
- Pneumology Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (N.S.M.); (M.A.M.)
| | - Paraschiva Postolache
- Medical Department, Gr T Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Gabriel Gusetu
- Cardiology Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Milena Adina Man
- Pneumology Department, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (N.S.M.); (M.A.M.)
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Cummings KJ, Johns DO, Mazurek JM, Hearl FJ, Weissman DN. NIOSH's Respiratory Health Division: 50 years of science and service. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH 2019; 74:15-29. [PMID: 30501580 PMCID: PMC6490691 DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2018.1532387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The year 2017 marked the 50th anniversary of NIOSH's Respiratory Health Division (RHD). RHD began in 1967 as the Appalachian Laboratory for Occupational Respiratory Diseases (ALFORD), with a focus on coal workers' pneumoconiosis. ALFORD became part of NIOSH in 1971 and added activities to address work-related respiratory disease more generally. Health hazard evaluations played an important role in understanding novel respiratory hazards such as nylon flock, diacetyl, and indium-tin oxide. Epidemiologic and laboratory studies addressed many respiratory hazards, including coal mine dust, silica, asbestos, cotton dust, beryllium, diesel exhaust, and dampness and mold. Surveillance activities tracked the burden of diseases and enhanced the quality of spirometry and chest radiography used to screen workers. RHD's efforts to improve scientific understanding, inform strategies for prevention, and disseminate knowledge remain important now and for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin J. Cummings
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Doug O. Johns
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Jacek M. Mazurek
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Frank J. Hearl
- Office of the Director, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Washington, DC, USA
| | - David N. Weissman
- Respiratory Health Division, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgantown, WV, USA
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Slattery F, Johnston K, Paquet C, Bennett H, Crockett A. The long-term rate of change in lung function in urban professional firefighters: a systematic review. BMC Pulm Med 2018; 18:149. [PMID: 30189854 PMCID: PMC6128005 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-018-0711-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 08/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the known occupational hazards, it is not yet clear whether long-term career firefighting leads to a greater rate of decline in lung function than would normally be expected, and how this rate of change is affected by firefighting exposures and other risk/protective factors. METHODS A systematic search of online electronic databases was conducted to identify longitudinal studies reporting on the rate of change in the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) of forced vital capacity (FVC). Included studies were critically appraised to determine their risk of bias using the Research Triangle Institute Item Bank (RTI-IB) on Risk of Bias and Precision of Observational Studies. RESULTS Twenty-two studies were identified for inclusion, from four different countries, published between 1974 and 2016. Examined separately, studies were categorised by the type of firefighting exposure. Firefighters experienced variable rates of decline in lung function, which were particularly influenced by cigarette smoking. The influence of routine firefighting exposures is unclear and limited by the methods of measurement, while firefighters exposed to 'non-routine' severe exposures unanimously experienced accelerated declines. CONCLUSIONS The data provided by longitudinal studies provide an unclear picture of how the rate of change in lung function of firefighters relates to routine exposures and how it compares to the rate of change expected in a working-age population. Non-smoking firefighters who routinely wear respiratory protection are more likely than otherwise to have a normal rate of decline in lung function. Exposure to catastrophic events significantly increases the rate of decline in firefighter lung function but there is limited evidence detailing the effect of routine firefighting. Future studies will benefit from more robust methods of measuring exposure. TRIAL REGISTRATION International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), registration number ( CRD42017058499 ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Flynn Slattery
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, Sansom Institute for Health Research, School of Health Sciences, Universitiy of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Kylie Johnston
- School of Health Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Catherine Paquet
- Centre for Population Health Research, Sansom Institute for Health Research, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Hunter Bennett
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, Sansom Institute for Health Research, School of Health Sciences, Universitiy of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Alan Crockett
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity, Sansom Institute for Health Research, School of Health Sciences, Universitiy of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
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Slattery F, Schermer T, Esterman A, Johnston K, Crockett A. The Global Lung Function Initiative 2012 Equations Are as Well-Suited as Local Population Derived Equations to a Sample of Healthy Professional Firefighters. Can Respir J 2017; 2017:6327180. [PMID: 28630566 PMCID: PMC5463135 DOI: 10.1155/2017/6327180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Revised: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE We aimed to assess the validity of using the Global Lung Function Initiative's (GLI) 2012 equations to interpret lung function data in a healthy workforce of South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service (SAMFS) personnel. METHODS Spirometry data from 212 healthy, nonsmoking SAMFS firefighters were collected and predicted normal values were calculated using both the GLI and local population derived (Gore) equations for forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC. Two-tailed paired sample Student's t-tests, Bland-Altman assessments of agreement, and z-scores were used to compare the two prediction methods. RESULTS The equations showed good agreement for mean predicted FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC. Mean z-scores were similar for FEV1 and FVC, although not FEV1/FVC, but greater than 0.5. Differences between the calculated lower limits of normal (LLN) were significant (p < 0.01), clinically meaningful, and resulted in an 8% difference in classification of abnormality using the FEV1/FVC ratio. CONCLUSIONS The GLI equations predicted similar lung function as population-specific equations and resulted in a lower incidence of obstruction in this sample of healthy SAMFS firefighters. Further, interpretation of spirometry data as abnormal should be based on both an FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio < LLN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flynn Slattery
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Sansom Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Tjard Schermer
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Adrian Esterman
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Kylie Johnston
- School of Health Sciences, Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Alan Crockett
- Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity (ARENA), Sansom Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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Hansen S, Hoffmann-Petersen B, Sverrild A, Bräuner EV, Lykkegaard J, Bodtger U, Agertoft L, Korshøj L, Backer V. The Danish National Database for Asthma: establishing clinical quality indicators. Eur Clin Respir J 2016; 3:33903. [PMID: 27834178 PMCID: PMC5103671 DOI: 10.3402/ecrj.v3.33903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide affecting more than 300 million people. Symptoms are often non-specific and include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Asthma may be highly variable within the same individual over time. Although asthma results in death only in extreme cases, the disease is associated with significant morbidity, reduced quality of life, increased absenteeism, and large costs for society. Asthma can be diagnosed based on report of characteristic symptoms and/or the use of several different diagnostic tests. However, there is currently no gold standard for making a diagnosis, and some degree of misclassification and inter-observer variation can be expected. This may lead to local and regional differences in the treatment, monitoring, and follow-up of the patients. The Danish National Database for Asthma (DNDA) is slated to be established with the overall aim of collecting data on all patients treated for asthma in Denmark and systematically monitoring the treatment quality and disease management in both primary and secondary care facilities across the country. The DNDA links information from population-based disease registers in Denmark, including the National Patient Register, the National Prescription Registry, and the National Health Insurance Services register, and potentially includes all asthma patients in Denmark. The following quality indicators have been selected to monitor trends: first, conduction of annual asthma control visits, appropriate pharmacological treatment, measurement of lung function, and asthma challenge testing; second, tools used for diagnosis in new cases; and third, annual assessment of smoking status, height, and weight measurements, and the proportion of patients with acute hospital treatment. The DNDA will be launched in 2016 and will initially include patients treated in secondary care facilities in Denmark. In the nearby future, the database aims to include asthma diagnosis codes and clinical data registered by general practitioners and specialised practitioners as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Hansen
- Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Rigshospitalet Glostrup Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark
| | | | - Asger Sverrild
- Respiratory Research Unit, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg Frederiksberg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elvira V Bräuner
- Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Rigshospitalet Glostrup Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Bispebjerg - Frederiksberg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesper Lykkegaard
- Research Unit of General Practice, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Uffe Bodtger
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Naestved Hospital, Region Zealand, Denmark
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Zealand University Hospital Roskilde, Region Zealand, Denmark
- Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Lone Agertoft
- Hans Christian Andersen Children's Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Vibeke Backer
- Respiratory Research Unit, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bispebjerg Frederiksberg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark;
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El-Helaly M, Balkhy HH, Waseem K, Khawaja S. Respiratory symptoms and ventilatory function among health-care workers exposed to cleaning and disinfectant chemicals, a 2-year follow-up study. Toxicol Ind Health 2015; 32:2002-2008. [PMID: 26525910 DOI: 10.1177/0748233715610043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Previous cross-sectional studies have shown that exposure to cleaning chemicals among health-care workers (HCWs) is associated with respiratory disorders and ventilatory function changes. This study aimed to further explore this association using a longitudinal approach. A prospective 2-year follow-up study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia from June 2012 to June 2014 among 56 nurses who were responsible for disinfection and sterilization of medical instruments and equipment. The workplaces of the participants were assessed for engineering, environmental, and safety control measures. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to all participants to assess their exposure to cleaning chemicals and their medical history. Spirometric parameters were measured for all nurses in 2012 (baseline) and again in 2014 (follow-up). The prevalence of work-related respiratory symptoms did not increase significantly over this time. Among all the spirometric parameters, only forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio decreased significantly, and only 10.7% of participants who were exposed to cleaning chemicals for more than 10 years had FEV1 and FVC less than their longitudinal normal limits at the end of the study. Smoking and gender were associated with statistically significant decreases in some of the spirometric parameters. Our 2-year follow-up study did not demonstrate significant association between exposure to cleaning chemicals among HCWs and changes in the prevalence of work-related respiratory symptoms, but indicated early effects on ventilatory function among them. The study highlights the importance of periodic spirometry, proper work practices, and effective control measures to protect HCWs against potentially harmful workplace chemicals for disinfection and sterilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed El-Helaly
- Department of Infection Prevention and Control, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia .,Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Hanan H Balkhy
- Department of Infection Prevention and Control, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,King Abdulla International Medical Research Center, King Saud University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khan Waseem
- Department of Infection Prevention and Control, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sahdia Khawaja
- Department of Infection Prevention and Control, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Redlich CA, Tarlo SM, Hankinson JL, Townsend MC, Eschenbacher WL, Von Essen SG, Sigsgaard T, Weissman DN. Official American Thoracic Society technical standards: spirometry in the occupational setting. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2014; 189:983-93. [PMID: 24735032 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201402-0337st] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This document addresses aspects of the performance and interpretation of spirometry that are particularly important in the workplace, where inhalation exposures can affect lung function and cause or exacerbate lung diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or fibrosis. METHODS Issues that previous American Thoracic Society spirometry statements did not adequately address with respect to the workplace were identified for systematic review. Medline 1950-2012 and Embase 1980-2012 were searched for evidence related to the following: training for spirometry technicians; testing posture; appropriate reference values to use for Asians in North America; and interpretative strategies for analyzing longitudinal change in lung function. The evidence was reviewed and technical recommendations were developed. RESULTS Spirometry performed in the work setting should be part of a comprehensive workplace respiratory health program. Effective technician training and feedback can improve the quality of spirometry testing. Posture-related changes in FEV1 and FVC, although small, may impact interpretation, so testing posture should be kept consistent and documented on repeat testing. Until North American Asian-specific equations are developed, applying a correction factor of 0.88 to white reference values is considered reasonable when testing Asian American individuals in North America. Current spirometry should be compared with previous tests. Excessive loss in FEV1 over time should be evaluated using either a percentage decline (15% plus loss expected due to aging) or one of the other approaches discussed, taking into consideration testing variability, worker exposures, symptoms, and other clinical information. CONCLUSIONS Important aspects of workplace spirometry are discussed and recommendations are provided for the performance and interpretation of workplace spirometry.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW New literature from 2009 to 2012 regarding occupational constrictive bronchiolitis challenges textbook descriptions of this disease, formerly thought to be limited to fixed airflow limitation arising in the wake of accidental overexposure to noxious chemicals. Indolent evolution of dyspnea without a recognized hazardous exposure is a more common presentation. RECENT FINDINGS Biopsy-confirmed case series of constrictive bronchiolitis from US soldiers, Iranian survivors of sulfur mustard gassing, hospital-based studies, and flavoring-related cases document that indolent constrictive bronchiolitis cases can have normal spirometry or either restrictive or obstructive abnormalities. High-resolution computerized tomography studies can be normal or reflect air-trapping and mosaic attenuation on expiratory films. Thus, in the absence of noninvasive abnormalities, the diagnosis in dyspneic patients may require thoracoscopic biopsy in settings in which exposure risk has not been recognized. Many workers with occupational constrictive bronchiolitis stabilize with cessation of exposures causing bronchiolar epithelial necrosis. SUMMARY Clinicians need a high index of suspicion for constrictive bronchiolitis in young patients with rapidly progressing exertional dyspnea, regardless of spirometric and radiologic findings. Identification of novel causes and exposure-response relations for known causes are needed to provide guidance for protecting workers at risk for this largely irreversible lung disease.
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