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Twelve-year longitudinal study of respiratory status in dairy farmers

Depts of ¹ Chest Diseases, ² Occupational Health, and ³ Biostatistics, University Hospital, and ⁴ Mutualité Sociale Agricole of Besançon, Besançon, France.

CORRESPONDENCE: J-C. Dalphin, Dept of Chest Diseases, CHU-Hôpital Jean Minjoz, Boulevard Fleming, 25030 Besançon Cedex, France. Fax: 33 381668811. E-mail: jean-charles.dalphin{at}ufc-chu.univ-fcomte.fr

Keywords: Farming, longitudinal studies, respiratory function tests

Received: December 21, 2005
Accepted March 20, 2007

To evaluate respiratory risk in dairy farmers, the present authors conducted a longitudinal study in the Doubs region of France.

From a cohort constituted in 1986 (T1), 157 (62.8%) dairy farmers and 159 (63.6%) controls were re-evaluated in 1998 (T3). The study protocol comprised a medical and occupational questionnaire, spirometric tests at both evaluations, and noninvasive measure of blood oxygen saturation with pulse oximetry (S_p,O2) at T3.

In 1998, the prevalence of chronic bronchitis was higher in dairy farmers. In cross-sectional analyses, all respiratory function parameters and S_p,O2 were significantly lower in dairy farmers. In a multiple linear regression model, farming, age, male sex and smoking were significantly and negatively correlated with S_p,O2. However, the mean annual decline in respiratory function parameters did not differ significantly between groups. After adjustment of covariables, accelerated decline in vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second was associated with age, smoking and male sex. Decline in vital capacity was accelerated in dairy farmers working in traditional farms and those currently foddering.

The current study demonstrates that dairy farming is associated with an increased risk of lung disorders and a decrease in blood oxygen saturation and suggests that respiratory function impairment is correlated with cumulated exposure to organic dusts.