[Basic spirometry measurements in workers on pig farmers]

Prevalence and Characteristics of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Dairy Farmers

Objective: To assess the prevalence and characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in dairy farmers, and evaluate the role of job exposure and smoking as predictors for respiratory health impairment. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed, including 83 dairy farmers (mean age: 52.6±8.7 years; mean exposure duration: 23.7±7.6 years) and 80 office workers as a control group (mean age: 52.7±8.2 years) matched for age, smoking habits, and socioeconomic status. Methods for evaluation of study participants included a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms in the last 12 months, baseline spirometry and bronchodilator reversibility testing, and diagnostic criteria for COPD. Results: The mean post-bronchodilator values of spirometric parameters are significantly lower in subjects among EG with negative bronchodilator test compared to those in CG, while the mean post-bronchodilator values of spirometric parameters are lower in dairy farmers with negative BD tests exposed more than 20 years compared to those with exposure less than 20 years, being statistically significant for FEV1/FVC%, MEF25, MEF50 and MEF75. The COPD prevalence is non-significantly higher in dairy farmers compared to controls, and is significantly associated with age over 40 years in dairy farmers (P=0.035). The risk for COPD development in dairy farmers is about 36 fold higher in subjects exposed more than 20 years (OR = 36.00 (1.21-37.77) CI 95%) compared to those with exposure duration less than 20 years, and is about 6 fold higher in dairy farmers who are current smokers (OR = 6.12 (0.95-37.77) CI 95%). COPD is significantly associated with smoking duration among smokers in both groups, while combined effect of smoking, smoking duration, and number of cigarettes smoked daily has a significant impact on COPD development in dairy farmers. According to the GOLD classification, depending on the degree of airflow limitation, mild and moderate types of COPD are detected in dairy farmers, and only mild type in controls, showing no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: The study findings recognized the role of farming exposure, and smoking as well, as predictors for respiratory health impairment, and furthermore confirmed their potential to be a predictive factor in the COPD development. These facts should be helpful in detection of critical points for action, indicate the need of adverse occupational exposures reduction through adequate preventive measures and regular health examinations, implementation of relevant engineering controls, smoking cessation programs, and complete and efficient respiratory health assessment.

Specific work activities and exposure to respiratory hazards - predictors of lung function impairment among crop farmers

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the specific work activities and occupational exposure to respiratory hazards as predictors of chronic respiratory symptoms development, lung function decline, and respiratory health impairment among crop farmers. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was performed, including 87 crop farmers (mean age: 53.4 ± 7.8 years; and mean exposure duration: 22.9 ± 7.8 years) and 80 office workers as a control group (mean age: 52.7 ± 8.2 years) matched for age, smoking habits, and socioeconomic status. Subjects were evaluated by a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms in the past 12 months and spirometry testing. RESULTS: Crop farmers had a significantly higher prevalence of cough (41.4), phlegm (28.7%), and dyspnea (21.8%), than controls (p < 0.05). All mean baseline spirometric parameters were lower in crop farmers, but statistical significance was confirmed only for MEF25, MEF50, and MEF75 (p = 0.003, p = 0.000, and p = 0.001, respectively). Most of the respiratory symptoms were significantly associated with common work activities of crop farmers and all-day exposure to certain respiratory hazards. Age, exposure duration, and their combined effect with smoking habit had a significant effect on forced expiratory volume in one second FEV1 and FEV1/forced vital capacity. CONCLUSION: The results confirm that occupational exposure among crop farmers is associated with higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms and lung function decline and, together with specific workflow activities, may not only be a predictors of respiratory health impairment, but also a key tool in the creation of preventive strategies.

Chronic Respiratory Symptoms and Lung Function in a Sample of Agricultural Workers in Skopje Region

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of job exposure and its duration on chronic respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity among agricultural workers.METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study including 120 agricultural workers aged 36 to 53 years, compared to an equal number of office workers matched by age, duration of workplace exposure and smoking status. A questionnaire was used to record the chronic respiratory symptoms, detailed job history, specific job activities and tasks performed, and smoking history. Evaluation of examined subjects also included functional lung testing by spirometry.RESULTS: We found non-significantly higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms in the last 12 months in agricultural workers with significant difference for cough (P = 0.044), and wheezing (P = 0.031). Mean values of all spirometric parameters were lower in agricultural workers, being significantly different for MEF50 (P = 0.001) and MEF75 (P = 0.000). Adverse respiratory effects and lung function deterioration were more expressed in agricultural workers with duration of job exposure more than 20 years than in those exposed less than 20 years.CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that workplace exposure in agricultural workers may lead to respiratory impairment which is close related to its duration.