@article {Lamp4172, author = {Kin Bong Hubert Lam and Peng Yin and Chao Qiang Jiang and Wei Sen Zhang and Peyman{\'e} Zdab and Martin Miller and G. Neil Thomas and Jon G. Ayres and Tai Hing Lam and Kar Keung Cheng}, title = {Past dust and gas/fume exposure and COPD in Chinese: The Guangzhou Biobank cohort study}, volume = {38}, number = {Suppl 55}, elocation-id = {p4172}, year = {2011}, publisher = {European Respiratory Society}, abstract = {Background: The impact of occupational dust and gas/fume exposure on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been described in Western populations but the extent has not been quantified in developing countries.Aims: We examined the relationship between past dust and fume exposure and prevalence of COPD and respiratory symptoms in a Chinese population sample. We have calculated the population attributable fraction for COPD due to previous occupation exposures.Methods: Baseline data from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study (2003-6; n = 8,219) were analysed. Self-reported intensity and duration of dust and gas/fume exposure was obtained from which a cumulative exposure index was derived. COPD was defined based on spirometry using lower limit of normal. Respiratory symptoms were assessed by the MRC questionnaire.Results: In this sample (27.3\% men, mean age 61.9{\textpm}6.8 years), COPD was associated with dust or gas/fume exposure in a dose-response manner with no evidence of effect modification by smoking (adjusted OR for high level exposure = 1.49; 95\% CI 1.21-1.91). Similar associations were found for chronic cough/phlegm (1.60; 1.18-2.17) and dyspnoea (1.38; 1.21-1.58). The population attributable fraction for COPD due to occupational exposure was 11.2\% (95\% CI 1.4\%-20.0\%).Conclusion: Occupational dust and gas/fume exposure is associated with an increased prevalence of COPD in this Chinese sample, independent of smoking. The magnitude is similar to that reported in other populations.}, issn = {0903-1936}, URL = {https://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p4172}, eprint = {https://erj.ersjournals.com/content}, journal = {European Respiratory Journal} }