Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness in Farmers: Severity and Work-Relatedness

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of respiratory symptoms, lung function and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in farmers, with emphasize to their severity and work-relatedness due occupational risk factors and farming characteristics.METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was performed including 60 cow breeders aged 21 to 65 years, compared to an equal number of agricultural farmers matched by age, job exposure duration, and smoking status. We have used a questionnaire to record the chronic respiratory symptoms, detailed work history, specific farming activities and tasks performed, and smoking history. Evaluation of examined subjects also included lung function spirometry tests, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness testing.RESULTS: We found higher prevalence of work related respiratory symptoms in the last 12 months in cow breeders with significant difference for phlegm (P = 0.039), and wheezing (P = 0.026). Mean values of all spirometric parameters were lower in cow breeders, reaching significance for MEF50 (P = 0.001) and MEF75 (P = 0.000). Significant difference was found for mild bronchial hyperresponsiveness among cow breeders with job exposure of more than 15 years. The risk of developing work-related respiratory symptoms increased significantly with full-time farming, exposure to gases and vapors, and keeping more than 10 cows.CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that workplace exposure in farmers may cause respiratory impairment which is closely related to its duration, characteristics, and intensity. The results suggest that cow breeders in general have higher rates of work-related respiratory symptoms and bronchial hyperresponsiveness than agricultural farmers, whereas their severity increases with an increase in frequency and duration of animal contact

Specific work activities and exposure to respiratory hazards - predictors of lung function impairment among crop farmers

“…Linear regression shows that age, exposure duration, and the combined effect of age, exposure duration, and smoking habit have a significant effect on FEV 1 and FEV 1 /FVC, and have no significant effect on number of unexposed persons (office workers) complementary to those exposed by sex and age. In both groups, there is a relatively high prevalence of active smokers (about 50%) and is slightly higher than in the previous studies by Stoleski et al among agricultural workers [27], [28], [29].…”

“…The research of Stoleski et al about chronic respiratory symptoms and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in agricultural workers in the R. Macedonia, with particular reference to their intensity and relationship with occupational exposure, registered lower mean values of spirometric parameters in cattle breeders compared to farmers, with statistical significance for the mean values of MEF 50 and MEF 75 . According to this study, ventilatory disorders are associated with over age 55, smoking habit and occupational exposure to dust, gases, vapors, and pesticides over 25 years [28].…”

“…Allday exposure to respiratory hazards in crop farmers is a significant predictive factor for the development of phlegm, dyspnea, and wheezing. In the study of Stoleski et al [28], subjects who had contact with animals during working hours were up to 5 times more likely to have asthma symptoms than crop farmers, while respiratory symptoms typical of chronic bronchitis are 3 times more common. An Iranian study [63], after adjusting for certain confounding variables, shows that pesticide use in farmers is significantly related to the development of work-related chronic respiratory symptoms.…”

“…According to the study by Stoleski et al about chronic respiratory symptoms and bronchial hyperreactivity in agricultural workers in the R. Macedonia, with particular reference to their intensity and relationship to occupational exposure [28], the prevalence of overall chronic respiratory symptoms in cattle breeders is 31.6%, which is similar to surveys across Europe, where their frequency varies with farmers from 25% to 35% [30]. In general, many studies around the world, such as those conducted in New Zealand, Germany, Spain, and other countries [36], [40], [41], confirm the higher prevalence of work-related chronic respiratory symptoms in farmers, and certain differences are likely due to regional differences, differences in exposure or possibly the use of different farming and livestock methods and techniques of operation.…”