title: Bronchial reactivity and work-related symptoms in farmers.
abstract: Work-related respiratory symptoms and bronchial reactivity were studied in 76 never-smoking farmers and in a control group not exposed to organic dusts. The farmers were divided into those working with vegetables/grain crops, animals but not swine, and with swine. The extent of symptoms was evaluated using a specific organic dust questionnaire. Bronchial reactivity was assessed with the methacholine challenge test. An increased incidence of organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS), mucous membrane irritation (MMI), and chronic bronchitis (CB) was found among farmers working with swine or other animals. Pulmonary function baseline values were normal. Bronchial reactivity was increased and related to subjective symptoms of MMI and CB. There was also a relation between fatigue at work and bronchial reactivity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pneumology, Hospital de Pulido Valente, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Carvalheiro
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rubenowitz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rylander
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000150:complications; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004391:Dust / Q000009:adverse effects; D002523:Edible Grain; D005221:Fatigue / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016210:Methacholine Chloride; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D013548:Sweden; D013552:Swine; D013577:Syndrome; D014675:Vegetables
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D016210:Methacholine Chloride