Respiratory symptoms and airway obstruction in swine veterinarians: a persistent problem.
OBJECTIVE
There are many occupational hazards associated with the practice of swine veterinarians. To reassess the prevalence of respiratory complaints and pulmonary function abnormalities in this group.


METHODS
This was a cross-sectional study conducted during the American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting. Subjects completed a respiratory symptom/work history questionnaire and performed spirometry.


RESULTS
Participants included 122 veterinarians (median age=42.5 years). Work-related symptoms included rhinitis symptoms (69%), cough and chest tightness (53%), wheezing (31%). Airway obstruction was seen in 24% of participants. Veterinarians with airway obstruction reported working more hours per week in hog barns than did practitioners with normal pulmonary function (P=0.009).


CONCLUSIONS
Respiratory symptoms were common in the swine veterinarians tested as was airway obstruction. The association with these findings and hog barn exposure suggests that working in these facilities is still a risk factor for airway disease.
Andersen
C I
CI
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5300, USA.
Von Essen
Susanna G
SG
Smith
L M
LM
Spencer
J
J
Jolie
Rika
R
Donham
Kelley J
KJ
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000032:analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013552:Swine; D018634:Veterinarians
D001427:Bacterial Toxins