RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Respiratory symptoms, lung function tests and bronchial hyperresponsiveness among workers in petroleum industry
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP p4184
VO 38
IS Suppl 55
A1 Saso Stoleski
A1 Jovanka Karadzinska-Bislimovska
A1 Jordan Minov
A1 Dragan Mijakoski
A1 Snezana Risteska-Kuc
A1 Lidija Trajceva
YR 2011
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p4184.abstract
AB Objective: To determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, lung function test abnormalities and non specific bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) among workers employed in petroleum refinery.Methods: A cross sectional study was performed including 45 males (mean age= 41.0±8.6) employed in crude oil refinery (duration of exposure 15.2±6.8) and 40 male office workers as a control group (mean age=40.6±7.5) matched for age, smoking habits and socioeconomic status. Evaluation of examined subjects included completion of a questionnaire on respiratory symptoms in the last 12 months (cough, phlegm, dyspnea, wheezing, and chest tightness), spirometry and histamine challenge (PC20≤8 mg/mL).Results: Refinery workers had a significantly higher prevalence of cough with phlegm (31.3%), dry-cough (18.1%), wheezing (11.4%), dyspnea (4.1%), and nasal symptoms (8.3%) than the control group (p<0.05). All spirometric parameters (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC%, MEF75-25, MEF50, and MEF25) were lower in petroleum refinery workers compared with the control group, but statistical significance was found for MEF25, MEF50, and MEF75 (p=0.03, p=0.02, and p=0.007; respectively). The prevalence of non specific BHR, defined by histamine PC20 less than 8 mg/mL, was higher in petroleum refinery workers but statistical significance was still not reached (21.7% vs. 14.7%).Conclusion: Our study suggest that occupational exposure in the petroleum industry is associated with a higher prevalence of respiratory and nasal symptoms, lung function impairment and higher prevalence of non specific airway responsiveness.