Abstract
Despite the high prevalence of occupational airway disorders, they are usually underestimated by physicians. This study designed to study the prevalence of work-related symptoms (WRS) and their association with occupational exposure in outpatient pulmonary clinics. Adults with more than one year of lower respiratory symptoms were included. Retired patients, housewives and those unable to perform spirometry were excluded. Demographic, anthropometric and medical data were documented. The Persian version of National institute for health and safety respiratory questionnaire was used to classify job titles. WRS were defined as 2 (or more) positive questions with improvement of symptoms on days off work. Job exposure matrix (JEM) was used for classifying the type of occupational exposure into one of three categories: high molecular weight (HKW), low molecular weight (LMW) and mixed. A total of 250 patients (69% male) with mean (±SD) age of 40 (±11.6) years, 178 cases of asthma and 59 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cases entered. Occupational exposure was seen in 51.2% of patients (26, 51 and 51 cases with HMW, LMW and mixed, respectively). WRS were lower in those who exercised regularly (24.6% vs. 39.4%) and higher in those with eczema (62.5% vs. 33.6%). Eczema had an odds ratio (OR) of 4.13 (95% CI 1.3 to 12.9, P = 0.01). Exposure to LMW almost tripled the risk of WRS (OR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.4 to 5.9, P = 0.003) in our patients. Pulmonologists are firmly advised to take their patients' occupational and vocational exposures into consideration for treatment plans, especially in those with positive history of eczema and exposure to LMW.
Highlights
Respiratory system is one of the main targets of occupational hazards.[1]
Inhalation of different types of particles produced in many jobs causes a wide array of respiratory disorders, including upper airway irritation, bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, lung cancer, pulmonary infections and pleural effusion
This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of work-related symptoms (WRS) and the possible role of less-known occupational exposures in patients with chronic respiratory symptoms visited in outpatient pulmonary clinics
Summary
Respiratory system is one of the main targets of occupational hazards.[1] Inhalation of different types of particles produced in many jobs causes a wide array of respiratory disorders, including upper airway irritation, bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interstitial lung disease, lung cancer, pulmonary infections and pleural effusion. Apart from well-known health effects of famous pneumoconioses such as silicosis and asbestosis, hazards of other less studied occupational lung diseases are usually underestimated by employers, employees and physicians. This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of work-related symptoms (WRS) and the possible role of less-known occupational exposures in patients with chronic respiratory symptoms visited in outpatient pulmonary clinics
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