CUMULATIVE EXPOSURE TO MINERAL DUSTS, BRONCHIAL REACTIVITY AND FEV1 DECLINE
Abstract:
The aim of this study is to assess the main symptoms of bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) in relation with cumulative exposure to mineral dusts (CE) and FEV1 decline, in a longitudinal study over a period of 3.7 years. We examined a group of 105 employees of a company producing metallic reinforcements. A respiratory symptoms questionnaire ECRHS II was applied, we calculated the annual decline in FEV1 (ΔFEV1) and we noted the CE. The suggestive symptoms for BHR were: wheezing, morning chest tightness and sudden shortness of breath after an exhausting effort. We observed a significantly increased rate of ΔFEV1 in subjects with BHR compared with the ΔFEV1 in asymptomatic subjects. ΔFEV1 was in a linear relation with the CE and the smoking status. ECRHS II questionnaire is an effective and easy to apply instrument, allowing, together with the ΔFEV1 evaluation, an early selection of subjects likely to develop chronic airway obstruction.
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