Abstract
While the acute respiratory risks of welding are well characterised, more chronic effects, including those on lung function, are less clear. We carried out a systematic review of published longitudinal studies of lung function decline in welders.
Original cohort studies documenting two or more sequential measurements of lung function were reviewed. Meta-analysis was carried out on studies with suitable data on forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1).
Seven studies were included; their quality (measured on the Newcastle–Ottawa scale) was good, although exposure assessment was limited and the studies showed significant heterogeneity. Five had data suitable for meta-analysis; the pooled estimate of the difference in FEV1 decline between welders and nonwelders was -9.0 mL·year−1 (95% CI -22.5–4.5; p=0.193). The pooled estimates of difference in annual FEV1 decline between welders and referents who smoked was -13.7 mL·year−1 (95% CI -33.6–6.3; p=0.179). For welders and referents who did not smoke the estimated difference was -3.8 mL·year−1 (95% CI -20.2–12.6; p=0.650). Symptom prevalence data were mainly narrative; smoking appeared to have the greatest effect on symptom evolution.
Collectively, available longitudinal data on decline of lung function in welders and respiratory symptoms suggest a greater effect in those who smoke, supporting a focus on smoking cessation as well as control of fume exposure in this trade. Further prospective studies are required to confirm these findings.
Abstract
Welders who smoke suffer greater decline in lung function http://ow.ly/nUBBb
Footnotes
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Conflict of interest: None declared.
- Received November 24, 2011.
- Accepted December 4, 2012.
- ©ERS 2013