Sintomas respiratórios em trabalhadores de carvoarias nos municípios de Lindolfo Collor, Ivoti e Presidente Lucena, RS

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and smoking, as well as pulmonary function parameters among charcoal production workers in three cities in southern Brazil. Methods: This was an observational study including 67 individuals. Data were obtained by means of interviews and spirometry. Results: Of the 67 workers, 50 (75.0%) were male; mean age, 46.52 ± 13.25 years; mean BMI, 25.7 ± 3.85 kg/m 2 ; FEV 1 , 3.24 ± 0.82 L (93.2 ± 16.0% of predicted); FVC, 4.02 ± 0.92 L (95.5 ± 14.3% of predicted); and FEV 1 /FVC, 80.31 ± 9.82. The most common upper airway symptoms were sneezing and nasal secretion-in 24 workers (35.82%)-whereas the most common lower airway symptom was cough-in 15 (22.38%). Of the 67 workers, 21 (31.34%) were smokers. In comparison with the nonsmokers, the smokers more often presented with cough (OR = 5.00; p = 0.01), nasal obstruction (OR = 3.50; p = 0.03), nasal itching (OR = 8.80; p = 0.01) and wheezing (OR = 10.0; p = 0.03), as well as presenting with lower FEV 1 values (2.93 ± 0.80 vs. 3.38 ± 0.80 L; p = 0.04). We detected occupational rhinitis in 14 workers (20.85%), asthma in 4 (5.97%) and COPD in 4 (5.97%). Conclusions: Respiratory symptoms and airflow reduction were more common in the smoking workers. Controlling the progression of the pyrolysis did not increase the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in the charcoal production workers studied.Keywords: Air pollution; Spirometry; Charcoal. ResumoObjetivo: Determinar a ocorrência de sintomas respiratórios e tabagismo, assim como parâmetros de função pulmonar, em trabalhadores da produção de carvão vegetal em três municípios do sul do Brasil. Métodos: Estudo do tipo observacional com 67 indivíduos, no qual os dados foram obtidos através de entrevistas e espirometria. Resultados: Do total de 67 trabalhadores, 50 (75,0%) eram homens; média de idade = 46,52 ± 13,25 anos; média de IMC = 25,7 ± 3,85 kg/m 2 ; VEF 1 = 3,24 ± 0,82 L (93,2 ± 16,0% do previsto); CVF = 4,02 ± 0,92 L (95,5 ± 14,3% do previsto); e VEF 1 /CVF = 80,31 ± 9,82. Os sintomas de vias aéreas superiores mais frequentes foram espirros e secreção nasal, em 24 trabalhadores (35,82%), enquanto o das vias aéreas inferiores foi tosse, em 15 (22,38%). Dos 67 trabalhadores, 21 (31,34%) eram tabagistas. Os tabagistas apresentaram mais tosse (OR = 5,00; p = 0,01), obstrução nasal (OR = 3,50; p = 0,03), prurido nasal (OR = 8,80; p = 0,01) e sibilância (OR = 10,0; p = 0,03), assim como menor VEF 1 (2,93 ± 0,80 L vs. 3,38 ± 0,80 L; p = 0,04) que os não tabagistas. Rinite ocupacional foi detectada em 14 trabalhadores (20,85%), asma brônquica em 4 (5,97%) e DPOC em 4 (5,97%). Conclusões: A ocorrência dos sintomas respiratórios e a redução do fluxo aéreo foram maiores nos trabalhadores tabagistas. O controle da pirólise não aumentou a ocorrência de sintomas respiratórios nos trabalhadores de carvoarias.

An overview of recently published medical papers in Brazilian scientific journals

“…This study suggests that, for smoking cessation programs, subgroups of smokers with specific characteristics (early age at smoking onset, tobacco-related diseases, depressive disorders and Use of psychoactive substances) should be identified. To determine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and smoking, as well as pulmonary function parameters among charcoal production workers in three cities in southern Brazil, Souza et al58 conducted a study which found that respiratory symptoms and airflow reduction were more common in the smoking workers.…”

A survey of recently published cardiovascular, hematological and pneumological original articles in the Brazilian scientific press

“…It is crucial that these differences be recognized so that new strategies for the management of patients with bronchiectasis can be developed. de Souza et al104 determined the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and smoking, as well as pulmonary function parameters among charcoal production workers in three cities in southern Brazil. They indicate that respiratory symptoms and airflow reduction were more common in the smoking workers.…”

Occupational Tasks Influencing Lung Function and Respiratory Symptoms Among Charcoal-Production Workers: A Time-Series Study

“…Most studies of the effects of occupational exposure to wood smoke, however, have simply compared respiratory function and symptoms before exposure and after cessation of exposure [8] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] , or between two time points during occupational exposure [9] . Others have conducted long-term follow-up studies [31] , and still others have simply used one-time cross-sectional data [17] .…”

“…Workers exposed occupationally to smoke, such as firefighters, brick-kiln workers, and charcoal-production workers, also have been shown to have lower values of spirometry parameters, and increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms during and/or after exposure than before [8] , [9] , [10] , [15] , [16] . In Crete [9] and Thailand [10] , charcoal workers were found to have significantly more respiratory symptoms and poorer lung function parameters than workers in nonexposed occupations, and these effects were more pronounced among charcoal workers who were smokers than among those who were nonsmokers [17] .…”