Response to a Simple Vascular Test for Workers Chronically Exposed to Cold

Abstract

Objective: The present study was designed to investigate local and systemic responses to cold provocation testing as a simple vascular test for workers chronically exposed to cold. Materials and Methods: The study included 22 male workers from cold storage facilities and a matched non-exposed control group of 20 subjects. All participants were non-hypertensives and free from diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. They were subjected to a questionnaire, resting blood pressure measurement, cold provocation testing and Doppler radial systolic blood pressure measurement before and after cold provocation. Results: Hypertensive response was observed more significantly among cold exposed workers than controls (p= 0.003). Blanching response to cold was not significantly different between exposed and control groups. Coupled response was significantly higher among cold exposed workers than controls (p= 0,006) and it was independently determined by duration of exposure (p= 0.001). Conclusion: It seems that coupled response to cold provocation testing is a simple outcome measure for screening chronically exposed workers to cold.