Twelve-year longitudinal study of respiratory status in dairy farmers

Abstract

To evaluate respiratory risk in dairy farmers, the present authors conducted a longitudinal study in the Doubs region of France.From a cohort constituted in 1986 (T1), 157 (62.8%) dairy farmers and 159 (63.6%) controls were re-evaluated in 1998 (T3). The study protocol comprised a medical and occupational questionnaire, spirometric tests at both evaluations, and noninvasive measure of blood oxygen saturation with pulse oximetry (Sp,O 2 ) at T3.In 1998, the prevalence of chronic bronchitis was higher in dairy farmers. In cross-sectional analyses, all respiratory function parameters and Sp,O 2 were significantly lower in dairy farmers. In a multiple linear regression model, farming, age, male sex and smoking were significantly and negatively correlated with Sp,O 2 . However, the mean annual decline in respiratory function parameters did not differ significantly between groups. After adjustment of covariables, accelerated decline in vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second was associated with age, smoking and male sex. Decline in vital capacity was accelerated in dairy farmers working in traditional farms and those currently foddering.The current study demonstrates that dairy farming is associated with an increased risk of lung disorders and a decrease in blood oxygen saturation and suggests that respiratory function impairment is correlated with cumulated exposure to organic dusts.

Prevalence and risk factors for COPD in farmers: a cross-sectional controlled study

“…There have also been previous reports suggesting a higher risk of COPD in dairy farmers compared to unexposed subjects [5,25,26]. In a 12-year longitudinal study, we previously reported that dairy farmers presented a more accelerated decline in FEV1/FVC than controls [25].…”

“…In a 12-year longitudinal study, we previously reported that dairy farmers presented a more accelerated decline in FEV1/FVC than controls [25]. In a study performed in Norwegian farmers, a higher risk of COPD in dairy farmers compared to exclusive crop farmers was observed [5].…”

Influence of hay and animal feed exposure on respiratory status: a longitudinal study

“…The results of two controlled longitudinal studies we conducted in French dairy farmers in 1986 and 1994 were discordant. In the 1986 cohort, we found an accelerated decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) in dairy farmers at 5-yr follow-up [15], but these results were not confirmed at the second follow-up 12 yrs after inclusion [16]. This may be due to an improvement in working conditions leading to a decrease in agricultural exposure over time, as suggested by studies in grain elevator workers [17].…”

“…Some questions have been added to the version used in previous studies [9,16,18]. Working status in 2006 was designated as: ''still working'' (at the same or another job), ''retired'', and ''unemployed or having stopped working for personal reasons''.…”

“…We have no measurements of exposure associated with hay, straw or animal feed handling. These parameters were evaluated by self-report questionnaires previously used in dairy farmer studies conducted in the same province [16,18,23], one of which included measurements of hay and fodder contamination by microorganisms [23]. We observed high levels of hay contamination by microorganisms, especially in relation to low modernity of farms [23][24][25] and to bad climatic conditions during haymaking season.…”