RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms, ventilatory capacity and bronchial responsiveness in welders
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP P4361
VO 40
IS Suppl 56
A1 Saso Stoleski
A1 Jovanka Karadzinska Bislimovska
A1 Jordan Minov
A1 Dragan Mijakoski
A1 Snezana Ristetska Kuc
YR 2012
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P4361.abstract
AB Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms, ventilatory capacity abnormalities and bronchial hyperresponsivness in welders and to clarify the role of workplace exposure. Methods: A cross sectional study was performed including 40 males working as stainless steel welders (mean age=43.9±7.4; duration of exposure 15.2±6.8 yrs) and 40 male office workers as a control group (mean age=42.8±7.1) matched for age, duration of employment, 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: We found non-significantly higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms in the last 12 months in welders with significant difference for cough (P=0.036) and phlegm (P=0.007). Mean values of spirometric parameters was lower in welders with significant difference for MEF25 (P=0.006) and MEF75 (P=0.000). Prevalence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) was higher in welders with significant difference for borderline BHR (P=0.041). Multivariate analysis showed that current smoking (OR=8.4, 1.6 to 81.7) and total exposure to welding fumes with duration of more than 10 years (OR=8.2, 1.7 to 69.8) were independent risk factors for development of chronic respiratory symptoms. Conclusion: Our data suggest that workplace exposure in welders may lead to respiratory impairment that on the other hand is closely related to its duration.