COPD and occupational exposures: a case-control study.
OBJECTIVE
Evidence demonstrates that occupational exposures are causally linked with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This case-control study evaluated the association between occupational exposures and prevalent COPD based on lifetime occupational history.


METHODS
Cases (n = 388) aged 45 years and older with COPD were compared with controls (n = 356), frequency matched on age, sex, and cigarette smoking history. Odds ratios for exposure to each of eight occupational hazard categories and three composite measures of exposure were computed using logistic regression. RESULTSOccupational exposures most strongly associated with COPD were diesel exhaust, irritant gases and vapors, mineral dust, and metal dust. The composite measures describing aggregate exposure to gases, vapors, solvents, or sensitizers (GVSS) and aggregate exposure to dust, GVSS, or diesel exhaust were also associated with COPD. In the small group of never-smokers, a similar pattern was evident.


CONCLUSIONS
These population-based findings add to the literature linking occupational exposures to COPD.
Weinmann
Sheila
S
Center for Health Research, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Portland, Oregon 97227, USA. sheila.weinmann@kpchr.org
Vollmer
William M
WM
Breen
Victor
V
Heumann
Michael
M
Hnizdo
Eva
E
Villnave
Jacqueline
J
Doney
Brent
B
Graziani
Monica
M
McBurnie
Mary Ann
MA
Buist
A Sonia
AS
D000368:Aged; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D000465:Algorithms; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004391:Dust / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control; D009922:Oregon / Q000453:epidemiology; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D013147:Spirometry
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D004391:Dust