Occupational exposures and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease : a hospital-based case-control study.
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Date
2009
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Abstract
Aim
The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of occupational exposures
to the burden of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) among a sample
of hospital based patients.
Methods
Cases (n=110) with specialist physician diagnosed COPD from the three public
sector specialist respiratory clinics in KZN and controls (n=102) from other nonrespiratory
chronic ailment specialist clinics at the same institutions were selected.
An interviewer administered questionnaire and exposure history was obtained for
each participant. In addition, a valid lung function test was obtained for each case.
Data was analysed using STATA version 10. Multivariate regression models were
developed to examine the relationship between COPD and occupational
exposures while adjusting for age, sex, smoking and previous history of
tuberculosis. The relationship of FEV1 and occupational exposures, adjusted for
age, height, previous history of tuberculosis and smoking history, was investigated
among cases.
Results
Cases and controls were similar with respect to age and sex distribution. Cigarette
smoking differed significantly between cases and controls with a larger proportion
of cases having ceased to smoke compared to controls (72% vs 46%, p<0.01). A
higher proportion of controls reported employment in administrative, managerial
and quality control positions (21.3% vs 12.0%, 7.7% vs 2.6% and 5.4% vs 0.3%
respectively). Employment in the construction and shoe manufacturing industries
was reported more frequently by cases (10.3% vs 3.2% and 10.0% vs 4.9%
respectively). Cases were more likely than controls to have been exposed to dust
(72% vs 28%, p<0.001) or to chemicals, gas or fumes (74% vs 25.5%, p<0.001)
and reported exposure durations 3-4 fold higher than that of controls (p<0.001).
Dust and chemical, gas or fume exposure was associated with an increased odds
of developing COPD. Exposure to dusts (OR 7.9, 95% CI 3.9-15.7, p<0.001),
chemicals, gas or fumes (OR 6.4, 95% CI 3.2-12.8, p<0.001) were significantly
associated with odds of developing COPD. In addition, previous history of
tuberculosis, as well as smoking were associated with an increased odds of
COPD (OR 5.7, 95% CI 1.2-27.4 p<0.001 and OR 6.4, 95% CI 2.3-17.7, p<0.001).
Discussion and Conclusion
This is one of the first hospital based case-control studies looking at occupational
contribution to COPD undertaken in South Africa. In this sample of participants,
strong associations were observed between self-reported occupational exposures
to dust, and chemicals, gas or fumes, and physician’s diagnosis of COPD. The
study also demonstrated a strong association between smoking and previous
history of tuberculosis, and risk of COPD. The findings suggest that persons with
known occupational exposures to respiratory irritants should be monitored to
detect the onset of respiratory ill-health and that preventive strategies should
reduce exposure to these agents in the workplace.
Description
Thesis (M.Med.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.
Keywords
Occupational diseases--Research., Respiratory organs--Obstructions., Lungs--Diseases, Obstructive., Industrial hygiene--Research., Theses--Occupational and environmental health.