Occupation, smoking, and chronic obstructive respiratory disorders: a cross sectional study in an industrial area of Catalonia, Spain.
BACKGROUND
Few studies have investigated the independent effects of occupational exposures and smoking on chronic bronchitis and airflow obstruction. We assessed the association between lifetime occupational exposures and airflow obstruction in a cross-sectional survey in an urban-industrial area of Catalonia, Spain.


METHODS
We interviewed 576 subjects of both sexes aged 20-70 years (response rate 80%) randomly selected from census rolls, using the ATS questionnaire. Forced spirometry was performed by 497 subjects according to ATS normative.


RESULTS
Lifetime occupational exposure to dust, gases or fumes was reported by 52% of the subjects (63% in men, 41% in women). Textile industry was the most frequently reported job in relation to these exposures (39%). Chronic cough, expectoration and wheeze were more prevalent in exposed subjects with odds ratios ranging from 1.7 to 2.0 being highest among never-smokers (2.1 to 4.3). Lung function differences between exposed and unexposed subjects were dependent on duration of exposure, but not on smoking habits. Subjects exposed more than 15 years to dusts, gases or fumes had lower lung function values (FEV1 -80 ml, 95% confidence interval (CI) -186 to 26; MMEF -163 ml, CI -397 to 71; FEV1/FVC ratio -1.7%, CI -3.3 to -0.2) than non-exposed.


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic bronchitis symptoms and airflow obstruction are associated with occupational exposures in a population with a high employment in the textile industry. Lung function impairment was related to the duration of occupational exposure, being independent of the effect of smoking.
Centre d'Estudis Epidemiològics sobre la SIDA de Catalunya (CEESCAT), Crta de Canyet s/n, 08916 Badalona, Spain. ajm.ceescat.germanstrias@gencat.net
Angeles
A
Jaén
Jan Paul
JP
Zock
Manolis
M
Kogevinas
Antonio
A
Ferrer
Albert
A
Marín
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D029481:Bronchitis, Chronic / Q000209:etiology*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009790:Occupations; D016017:Odds Ratio; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013030:Spain; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013783:Textile Industry; D013997:Time Factors