Respiratory status in dairy farmers in France; cross sectional and longitudinal analyses. Issue 11 (22nd October 2003)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chaudemanche, H; Monnet, E; Westeel, V; Pernet, D; Dubiez, A; Perrin, C; Laplante, J-J; Depierre, A; Dalphin, J-C
• Is Part Of: Occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 60:Issue 11(2003)
• Page Start: 858
• Page End: 863
• Publication Date: 2003-10-22
• Subjects: farming -- longitudinal study of respiratory function -- oxygen saturation; CPOD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease -- CS, current smoker -- ES, ex-smoker -- FEF25–75, forced mid-expiratory flow -- FEV1, forced expiratory volume in one second -- NS, non-smoker -- Spo2, blood oxygen saturation -- VC, vital capacity; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 616.980305
• DOI: 10.1136/oem.60.11.858
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0711

Abstract

Abstract : Aims: To compare respiratory status in dairy farmers with that of non-farming controls. Methods: Longitudinal study in the Doubs (France). From a cohort constituted in 1994 (T1), 215 (81.1%) dairy farmers and 110 (73.8%) controls were reevaluated in 1999 (T2). The protocol comprised a medical and occupational questionnaire, spirometric tests at both evaluations, allergological tests at T1, and a non-invasive measure of blood oxygen saturation (Spo 2 ) at T2. Results: In 1999 analyses, the prevalence of chronic bronchitis was higher (p = 0.013), and FEV1 /VC (p < 0.025) and Spo 2 (−0.7%, p < 0.01) lower in dairy farmers than in controls. In a multiple linear regression model, farming, age, and smoking were significantly and inversely correlated with Spo 2 . In the whole population, the mean annual decline in FEV1 and FEV1 /VC was −13.4 ml and −0.30%, respectively. Farming was associated with an accelerated decline in FEV1 /VC (p < 0.025) after adjustment for covariates. No relation between allergy and respiratory function changes was observed, except for FEF25–75 . Conclusions: This prospective study shows that dairy farming is associated with an excess of chronic bronchitis, with a moderate degree of bronchial obstruction and a mild decrease in Spo 2 .