Lung Function and Quality of Life in Workers with Chemical and Dust Exposure

Abstract

Regarding the widely distribution of respiratory exposure hazards in occupational settings, workers have an increased risk for chronic lung diseases. For assessing the quality of life and lung function in workers exposed to chemicals and dust, St George�s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and spirometry were performed among 40 patients, admitted in Occupational Clinic Department of Colentina Hospital, Bucharest, Romania, during February, 2017. SGRQ showed different predictors for patients according to their occupational exposure and total symptoms score correlated better with decreased spirometric parameters in defining lung function deterioration. Quality of life is earlier affected than lung function deterioration and emphasises the need of more sensitive methods for an earlier identification and better evaluation of respiratory hazards in different workplaces.

Smoking Cessation in COPD Patients by a Selective Partial Nicotinic Agonist

“…The differences of CAT scores (initial -final) raised to 17.27 points +/-3.39 with higher value among patients with severe COPD than moderate forms (19.06 points +/-3.974 std dev versus 16.7 +/-3.005 std dev; F= 6.373; p=0.014), revealing benefits (fig 2). Fig.1 Mean values of CAT score assessment before and after a 12 months program of smoking cessation and respiratory rehabilitation, by stages of COPD Legend: CAT= COPD Assessment Test; COPD= chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Fig.2 Mean values of differential CAT score assessment before and after a 12 months program of smoking cessation and respiratory rehabilitation, by stages of COPD Legend: CAT= COPD Assessment Test; COPD= chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD and lung cancer are diseases not always related to smoking [18][19][20]. Many smokers after COPD diagnosis and bronchodilator therapy are trying to stop smoking by getting the necessary help from courses of antismoking therapy.…”

“…If somebody starts smoking while young this leads to a higher addiction [21]. The period of COPD adulthood is a transitional life-course period experienced with a lot of changes in the social roles, responsibilities, and expectations; it is a period attributed to behavioral challenges [19] and COPD therapy side effects [22]. For young adults alcohol consumption, going out to pubs/clubs and nightlife activities could be an important part of their social lives [23] and associated smoking with drinking alcohol could play a social role in their identity construction and matrix of future obstructive lung disease, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders and diseases.…”

Inflammation Markers in the Evolution of Asbestosis

“…The average value of VC (average =89.80%, StDev =13.96) was similar but the FEF 1 (average = 93.01%, StDev = 15.57) was slightly higher than the average reported in a meta-analysis based on data from 9921 workers exposed to asbestos. [15] We have previously shown that spirometry values are not an early change in pneumoconiosis, even when symptoms and quality of life is impaired [16]. In fact, reduction in lung function values (VC, FEF 1 ) persists after the exposure to asbestos is stoped [17] and we reasonably expect the lung function impairement of these patients to further aggravate.…”

Increased Exhalated Carbon Monoxide, Smoking and Obstructive Sleep Apnea

“…Finnally, the levels of eCO were evaluated in relation with the main comorbidities of OSA (table 2), which might have an influence on the symtoms and the overall quality of life in lung patients [23]. The mean value of eCO was significantly increased in OSA patients, active smokers, with associated COPD [24]. All other comorbidities added no supllementary differentiation among the patients' groups.…”