Evaluation of methods to determine excessive decline of forced expiratory volume in one second in workers exposed to diacetyl-containing flavorings.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate methods for determining excessive short-term decline in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in diacetyl-exposed workers.


METHODS
We evaluated five methods of determining excessive longitudinal FEV1 decline in diacetyl-exposed workers and workers from a comparative cohort: American Thoracic Society (ATS), ACOEM an 8% limit, and a relative and absolute longitudinal limit on the basis of spirometry data variability. Relative risk and incidence of excess decline were evaluated.


RESULTS
Incidence of excessive FEV1 decline was 1% in the comparative cohort using ATS and ACOEM criteria, 4.1% using relative limit of longitudinal decline, 4.4% with absolute longitudinal limit of decline, and 5.6% by using the 8% limit. Relative risk of abnormal FEV1 decline in diacetyl-exposed workers was elevated in all evaluated methods.


CONCLUSIONS
Alternative methods for respiratory surveillance in diacetyl-exposed workers may be preferable to ATS or ACOEM.
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Neal F
NF
Chaisson
Kathleen
K
Kreiss
Eva
E
Hnizdo
Artak
A
Hakobyan
Paul L
PL
Enright
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001130:Arizona / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003931:Diacetyl / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012306:Risk; D013147:Spirometry; D055815:Young Adult
D003931:Diacetyl