Twelve years spirometric changes among Paris area workers.
The effects of smoking habits, socio-occupational factors and respiratory symptoms in the development of airflow obstruction have been studied in a working population of 575 men aged 30-54 in 1960 and surveyed in 1960 and 1972. On average, FEV1 decreased by 47 ml/annum. Apart from FEV1 level, which reflects loss since the beginning of adult life, three factors were independently related to FEV1 slope: tobacco consumption, occupational exposure and social class. The decrease of FEV1 with smoking was dose related and decelerated among those who stopped smoking. This follow-up study ruled against phlegm as a causal factor of early stage airflow obstruction, although its role is not excluded at later stages.
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D010297:Paris; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D012907:Smoking / Q000150:complications; D012923:Social Class; D013147:Spirometry; D013997:Time Factors