OBJECTIVES: To confirm that working with horses is an occupational respiratory hazard and observed associations are not attributable to confounding. METHODS: A postal survey of the respiratory health of 659 horse trainers and a comparison group of 506 vegetable growers was conducted. Data were analysed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Relative to vegetable growers, horse trainers reported higher rates of chronic bronchitis [odds ratio (OR) = 6.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.2-21.4] and organic dust toxic syndrome/farmers' lung (ODTS/FL) (OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.8-6.8). Grinding oats, spreading hay, and using powdered feed supplements were associated with increased respiratory symptoms among trainers. Associations between symptoms and working with horses increased for full-time workers. CONCLUSIONS: This study found evidence that working with horses is a risk factor for ODTS/FL and bronchitis. The associations did not appear to be explained by bias, including confounding. However, the possibility of confounding cannot be entirely ruled out, and confirmatory studies are needed. Future studies should consider inorganic dust exposures.
OBJECTIVES: To confirm that working with horses is an occupational respiratory hazard and observed associations are not attributable to confounding. METHODS: A postal survey of the respiratory health of 659 horse trainers and a comparison group of 506 vegetable growers was conducted. Data were analysed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Relative to vegetable growers, horse trainers reported higher rates of chronic bronchitis [odds ratio (OR) = 6.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.2-21.4] and organic dust toxic syndrome/farmers' lung (ODTS/FL) (OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.8-6.8). Grinding oats, spreading hay, and using powdered feed supplements were associated with increased respiratory symptoms among trainers. Associations between symptoms and working with horses increased for full-time workers. CONCLUSIONS: This study found evidence that working with horses is a risk factor for ODTS/FL and bronchitis. The associations did not appear to be explained by bias, including confounding. However, the possibility of confounding cannot be entirely ruled out, and confirmatory studies are needed. Future studies should consider inorganic dust exposures.
Authors: Robert Wålinder; Miia Riihimäki; Susanne Bohlin; Carl Hogstedt; Tobias Nordquist; Amanda Raine; John Pringle; Lena Elfman Journal: Environ Health Prev Med Date: 2010-12-25 Impact factor: 3.674
Authors: Melissa R Mazan; Jessica Svatek; Louise Maranda; David Christiani; Andrew Ghio; Jenifer Nadeau; Andrew M Hoffman Journal: Occup Med (Lond) Date: 2009-02-17 Impact factor: 1.611
Authors: Kathleen Bulfin; Hilary Cowie; Karen S Galea; Alison Connolly; Marie Ann Coggins Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-09-03 Impact factor: 3.390