OBJECTIVE: There are many occupational hazards associated with the practice of swine veterinarians. To reassess the prevalence of respiratory complaints and pulmonary function abnormalities in this group. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted during the American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting. Subjects completed a respiratory symptom/work history questionnaire and performed spirometry. RESULTS: Participants included 122 veterinarians (median age=42.5 years). Work-related symptoms included rhinitis symptoms (69%), cough and chest tightness (53%), wheezing (31%). Airway obstruction was seen in 24% of participants. Veterinarians with airway obstruction reported working more hours per week in hog barns than did practitioners with normal pulmonary function (P=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory symptoms were common in the swine veterinarians tested as was airway obstruction. The association with these findings and hog barn exposure suggests that working in these facilities is still a risk factor for airway disease.
OBJECTIVE: There are many occupational hazards associated with the practice of swine veterinarians. To reassess the prevalence of respiratory complaints and pulmonary function abnormalities in this group. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted during the American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting. Subjects completed a respiratory symptom/work history questionnaire and performed spirometry. RESULTS:Participants included 122 veterinarians (median age=42.5 years). Work-related symptoms included rhinitis symptoms (69%), cough and chest tightness (53%), wheezing (31%). Airway obstruction was seen in 24% of participants. Veterinarians with airway obstruction reported working more hours per week in hog barns than did practitioners with normal pulmonary function (P=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory symptoms were common in the swine veterinarians tested as was airway obstruction. The association with these findings and hog barn exposure suggests that working in these facilities is still a risk factor for airway disease.
Authors: Leah Schinasi; Rachel Avery Horton; Virginia T Guidry; Steve Wing; Stephen W Marshall; Kimberly B Morland Journal: Epidemiology Date: 2011-03 Impact factor: 4.822
Authors: Amy M Linabery; Anna E Prizment; Kristin E Anderson; James R Cerhan; Jenny N Poynter; Julie A Ross Journal: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev Date: 2014-06-24 Impact factor: 4.254
Authors: Carmen Alonso; Peter C Raynor; Peter R Davies; Robert B Morrison; Montserrat Torremorell Journal: Aerobiologia (Bologna) Date: 2015-12-08 Impact factor: 2.410