title: Further exploration of the links between occupational exposure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine occupational risk for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
  
  
  METHODS
  We randomly recruited 233 subjects aged 55 to 75 reporting a physician's diagnosis of COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis. Interviews assessed cigarette smoking and longest held job, identifying exposure to vapors, gas, dust, or fumes (VGDF). Lung function was assessed in n = 138. Comparison data were derived from a sample of referents without COPD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  VGDF was reported in 123 (53%) of 233 cases versus 577 (34%) of 1709 referents. VGDF was associated with COPD (Odds Ratio [OR] 2.5; 95% CI = 1.9 to 3.4); the population attributable fraction was 32%. In the lung function subset, the FEV1/FVC was <70% in 79 (57%); 35 (44%) reported VGDF associated with an OR = 1.6 (95% CI = 0.99 to 2.6) and population attributable fraction 17%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data support an important role for occupational exposures in COPD.
authors.affiliation: Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0924, USA. Paul.Blanc@ucsf.edu
authors.forename: Paul D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Blanc
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Eisner
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Earnest
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Trupin
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Balmes
authors.forename: Edward H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Yelin
authors.forename: Steven E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Gregorich
authors.forename: Patricia P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Katz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects