Assessment of Forced Vital Capacity, Blood Pressure and the risk of Occupational Renal Diseases in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

Exposure to air pollutants by outdoor workers can predispose them to renal diseases. This study was carried out in Abia State Nigeria to assess the blood pressure and forced vital capacity (FVC) values of general outdoor workers. Measurement of blood pressure was taken with an electronic sphygmomanometer while the forced vital capacity was measured with a spirometer. A total of 322 subjects were used for the study. Results showed that the forced vital capacity (FVC) of 0-1000 was 5(1.56%) in Umuahia and 7(2.17%) in Aba; 1001-2000 was 34(10.56%) in Umuahia and 37(11.49%) in Aba; 2001-3000 was 83(25.78%) in Umuahia and 100(31.06%) in Aba; 3001-4000 was 23(7.14%) in Umuahia and 27(8.39%) in Aba; 4001-5000 was 1(0.31%) in Umuahia and 5(1.56%) in Aba. The mean FVC was 2410.55±443.61 in Umuahia and 2582.72± 526.80 in Aba. Results also showed that subjects with a systolic blood pressure of 81 - 100 was 6(1.86%) in Umuahia and 9(2.80%) in Aba; for 101 – 120, 33(10.25%) in Umuahia and 39(12.11%) in Aba; for 121 – 140, 65(20.19%) in Umuahia and 81(25.16%) in Aba; 141 – 160, 24(7.45%) in Umuahia and 27(8.39%) in Aba; for 161 – 180, 18(5.59%) in Umuahia and 20(6.21%) in Aba. The mean systolic blood pressure was 126.15 ±18.33 in Umuahia and 124.28 ±16.01 in Aba. The mean diastolic blood pressure was 74.65±11.69 in Umuahia and 76.29 ±10.78 in Aba. The FVC, systolic and diastolic blood pressures values were statistically within normal values (P>0.05). It was recommended that general outdoor workers wear nose and face masks to protect themselves against health problems resulting from environmental pollution. Keywords: Forced Vital Capacity, Blood Pressure, Pulse Rate, Spirometry, Renal diseases