title: Pulmonary function tests and work-related respiratory and allergic symptoms in Iranian bakers.
abstract: Bakers are frequently exposed to various irritant chemicals during work which can induce respiratory problems. In this study, pulmonary function tests and self-reported respiratory and allergic symptoms in bakers were compared with matched control subjects. The frequency of respiratory and allergic symptoms was evaluated in a sample of 58 Iranian bakers and 58 control subjects using a questionnaire. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) were also measured in all participants. All respiratory symptoms were significantly higher in bakers than control croup (p<0.05 to p<0.005). All allergic symptoms in bakers were also significantly greater than control group (p<0.05 to p<0.005). In addition, all respiratory (except sputum) and allergic (except urticaria) symptoms were significantly higher in bakers compared to rest period (p<0.05 to p<0.01) during work. Most PFT values except MEF25 were also significantly lower in bakers than control subjects (p<0.05 to p<0.001). These results showed that bakers have a higher frequency of work related respiratory symptoms and to a lesser extend allergic symptoms particularly during the work period. PFT values were also significantly reduced among bakers.
authors: Department of Physiology and Pharmacological, Research Centre of Medical Plants, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. boskabadymh@mums.ac.ir
authors: Mohammad Hosein
authors: MH
authors: Boskabady
authors: Ehsan
authors: E
authors: Taheri
authors: Sina
authors: S
authors: Ahmadi
authors: Kolsoumeh
authors: K
authors: Ebrahimi
authors: Malihe
authors: M
authors: Soudaneh
authors: Fatemeh
authors: F
authors: Mohammadi
authors: Alireza
authors: A
authors: Sabourhasanzadeh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000276:immunology; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005525:Food-Processing Industry; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D000485:Allergens