Breda Cushen1, Imran Sulaiman2, Noreen Donoghue3, Donna Langan4, Tara Cahill4, Eimear Nic Dhonncha4, Olivia Healy4, Fiona Keegan4, Mark Browne5, Anthony O'Regan4. 1. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland. Electronic address: bredacushen@rcsi.ie. 2. Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland. 3. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bon Secours Hospital, Galway, Ireland. 4. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland. 5. National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mortality rates within the Irish farming community are increasing, whilst that of the general population falls. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of respiratory disease amongst Irish farmers. METHODS: All study participants were farming volunteers attending an agricultural exhibition. Data collected by questionnaire included baseline demographics, respiratory history, presence of respiratory symptoms and occupational exposures. Spirometry was performed on all participants. RESULTS: Data from 372 farmers was analysed. The majority were male (76%) with median age of 55 years. 61% were never smokers. 13% were previously diagnosed with airway disease (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD)/Asthma/Inhaler use) with 14% reporting hayfever/allergies. Almost two-thirds reported one or more chronic respiratory symptom. Forty-four (12%) had obstructive spirometry using fixed FEV1/FVC < 0.70 criterion and 29 (7.8%) using FEV1/FVC < 5% lower limit of normal. The majority, two-thirds, were never smokers. Amongst never smokers with obstruction (13%), there was a significantly higher proportion with a prior diagnosis of airway disease and hayfever/allergies. There was no significant association between specific occupational exposures and obstruction. CONCLUSION: The majority of Irish farmers are never smokers. They have a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms. 13% of never smokers have airflow obstruction (FEV1/FVC < 0.70). The presence of airflow obstruction is significantly associated with self-reported allergy history and prior airway disease. Further studies are needed to identify the workplace factors accounting for these findings.
BACKGROUND: Mortality rates within the Irish farming community are increasing, whilst that of the general population falls. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of respiratory disease amongst Irish farmers. METHODS: All study participants were farming volunteers attending an agricultural exhibition. Data collected by questionnaire included baseline demographics, respiratory history, presence of respiratory symptoms and occupational exposures. Spirometry was performed on all participants. RESULTS: Data from 372 farmers was analysed. The majority were male (76%) with median age of 55 years. 61% were never smokers. 13% were previously diagnosed with airway disease (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD)/Asthma/Inhaler use) with 14% reporting hayfever/allergies. Almost two-thirds reported one or more chronic respiratory symptom. Forty-four (12%) had obstructive spirometry using fixed FEV1/FVC < 0.70 criterion and 29 (7.8%) using FEV1/FVC < 5% lower limit of normal. The majority, two-thirds, were never smokers. Amongst never smokers with obstruction (13%), there was a significantly higher proportion with a prior diagnosis of airway disease and hayfever/allergies. There was no significant association between specific occupational exposures and obstruction. CONCLUSION: The majority of Irish farmers are never smokers. They have a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms. 13% of never smokers have airflow obstruction (FEV1/FVC < 0.70). The presence of airflow obstruction is significantly associated with self-reported allergy history and prior airway disease. Further studies are needed to identify the workplace factors accounting for these findings.
Authors: Sam Ibeneme; Viola Egbosionu; Georgian Ibeneme; Amarachi Ezuma; Theresa Ettu; Joseph Nwankwo; Dnyanesh Limaye; Emmanuel Nna Journal: Biomed Res Int Date: 2016-12-28 Impact factor: 3.411
Authors: Jill A Poole; Ted R Mikuls; Michael J Duryee; Kristi J Warren; Todd A Wyatt; Amy J Nelson; Debra J Romberger; William W West; Geoffrey M Thiele Journal: Respir Res Date: 2017-12-22