Ever and cumulative occupational exposure and lung function decline in longitudinal population-based studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Issue 1 (24th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rabbani, Golam; Nimmi, Naima; Benke, Geza P; Dharmage, Shyamali C; Bui, Dinh; Sim, Malcolm R; Abramson, Michael J; Alif, Sheikh M
• Is Part Of: Occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 80:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 51
• Page End: 60
• Publication Date: 2022-10-24
• Subjects: Occupational Health -- Dust -- Pesticides -- Solvents -- Lung function; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; 616.980305
• DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2022-108237
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-0711

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: Adverse occupational exposures can accelerate age-related lung function decline. Some longitudinal population-based studies have investigated this association. This study aims to examine this association using findings reported by longitudinal population-based studies. Methods: Ovid Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched using keywords and text words related to occupational exposures and lung function and 12 longitudinal population-based studies were identified using predefined inclusion criteria. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Lung function decline was defined as annual loss of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1 ), forced vital capacity (FVC) or the ratio (FEV1 /FVC). Fixed and random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to calculate pooled estimates for ever and cumulative exposures. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I 2 test, and publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots. Results: Ever exposures to gases/fumes, vapours, gases, dusts, fumes (VGDF) and aromatic solvents were significantly associated with FEV1 decline in meta-analyses. Cumulative exposures for these three occupational agents observed a similar trend of FEV1 decline. Ever exposures to fungicides and cumulative exposures to biological dust, fungicides and insecticides were associated with FEV1 decline in fixed-effect models only. No statistically significant association was observed between mineral dust, herbicides and metals and FEV1 decline in meta-analyses. Conclusion: Pooled estimates from the longitudinal population-based studies have provided evidence that occupational exposures are associated with FEV1 decline. Specific exposure control and respiratory health surveillance are required to protect the lung health of the workers.