Abstract
Occupational chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (oCOPD) represents 15–20% of the global burden of this disease. Even if industrial bronchitis has long been known, new occupational hazards continue to emerge and enlarge the number of people exposed to risk. This review discusses the challenges related to the early detection of oCOPD, in the context of new exposures and of limited usage of methods for an efficient disease occupational screening. It underlines that a better translation into clinical practice of the new methods for lung function impairment measurements, imaging techniques, or the use of serum or exhaled breath inflammation biomarkers could add significant value in the early detection of oCOPD. Such an approach would increase the chance to stop exposure at an earlier moment and to prevent or at least slow down the further deterioration of the lung function as a result of exposure to occupational (inhaled) hazards.
Highlights
The estimated prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worldwide is 13.1%, with variations between 11.6 and 13.9% among different global regions [1].COPD is the leading cause of mortality among deaths related to respiratory diseases and the third leading cause of overall mortality at the global level [2,3]
It is undeniable that COPD prevalence is closely related to that of smoking, which is recognized as the main etiologic factor for disease development in 55–75% of the cases [4]
Welders are routinely exposed to vapors, gases, dust and fumes (VGDF); numerous studies published in recent years have identified these occupational risk factors in patients with COPD [29]
Summary
The estimated prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) worldwide is 13.1%, with variations between 11.6 and 13.9% among different global regions [1]. COPD is the leading cause of mortality among deaths related to respiratory diseases and the third leading cause of overall mortality at the global level [2,3] These two indicators are significant for the importance of COPD as a public health problem throughout the world and are imperative for identifying effective prevention and treatment measures. Recognition of occupational etiology is essential because, ideally, once a risk factor of COPD has been identified in the workplace, exposure must be discontinued, or if this is not possible, at least diminished At this time, effective prevention has at least two critical barriers. This review is dedicated to presenting the current challenges in oCOPD and possible ways to overcome them
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