RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Irish farmers lung health study- A study of the respiratory health of the Irish farming population
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP PA344
DO 10.1183/13993003.congress-2015.PA344
VO 46
IS suppl 59
A1 Cushen, Breda
A1 Donoghue, Noreen
A1 Langan, Donna
A1 Cahill, Tara
A1 Nic Donnacha, Eimear
A1 Healy, Olivia
A1 Keegan, Fiona
A1 Browne, Mark
A1 Sulaiman, Imran
A1 O'Regan, Anthony
YR 2015
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/46/suppl_59/PA344.abstract
AB Introduction: International studies have shown a high prevalence of respiratory complaints amongst agricultural workers however there is little data regarding the prevalence of respiratory disease in the Irish farming population. A recent study has shown that Irish farmer's general health has lagged behind other professions for unclear reasons.Aim: We undertook a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and airways disease amongst Irish farmers.Methods: A key component was respiratory scientist measured spirometry. Investigator-delivered questionnaires collected baseline demographics, symptom data and possible exposures.All study participants were farming volunteers. Spirometry results were correlated with variables related to respiratory disease.Results: Data on 372 farming volunteers was included for analysis. Majority were male (76%) with median age 55 years. 61% were never smokers.44(12%) had obstructive spirometry(Fixed FEV1/FVC ratio <0.70). Of those, two-thirds were never smokers. The presence of obstruction in never smokers was significantly associated with prior diagnosis of airways disease and self-reported hayfever/allergy, p<0.01.Almost two-thirds reported one or more respiratory symptom. There was no significant correlation between the presence of airflow obstruction and home/occupational exposures.Conclusion: This large comprehensive assessment of lung disease in Irish farmers demonstrates a remarkably high prevalence of obstructive lung disease in non-smoking subjects compared with international levels. More detailed studies are needed to identify the workplace factors accounting for these findings.