title: An analysis of the respiratory health status among seafarers in the Russian trawler and merchant fleets.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Trawler fishermen and merchant seafarers have tough working conditions. While workers in both occupations are exposed to a challenging environment, trawler fishermen are also engaged in onboard fish processing, which is considered to be additional exposure. The aim of the present study was to characterize respiratory health status in both groups of seamen.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total 127 trawler fishermen and 118 merchant seafarers were enrolled during their regular medical health examinations. The study protocol comprised a standardized questionnaire, lung function test and measurements of fractional nitric oxide concentrations (FE(NO) ) in exhaled air.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Doctor-diagnosed asthma was reported only by trawler fishermen (3.9%, P < 0.05, Pearson Chi-square test). Adjusted odds ratios (OR) of respiratory symptoms were more often elevated in trawler fishermen compared to merchant seafarers. Trawler fishermen had reduced spirometric parameters: FEV(1) % of predicted values (adjusted β: -5.28, 95%CI: -9.28 to -1.27), FVC % of predicted values (adjusted β: -5.21, 95%CI: -9.25 to -1.17). Increased OR of the work-related cough with phlegm (OR: 6.6, 95% CI: 1.8-21.9), running nose (OR: 3.0, 95%CI: 1.2-7.7), and frequent sneezing (OR: 3.4, 95%CI: 1.0-12.7) were found among those trawler workers whose work tasks included filleting of fish. FE(NO) levels were not significantly different between trawler and merchant seamen.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study indicated that trawler fishermen exhibited impaired lung function and were more likely to have asthma. The environment of the onboard factories where fishermen fillet fish is suggested as a risk factor for work-related respiratory symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Tromsoe, Tromsoe, Norway; Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital North Norway, Tromsoe, Norway. Olga.Shiryaeva@uit.no
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Shiryaeva
authors.forename: Lisbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aasmoe
authors.forename: Bjørn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Straume
authors.forename: Berit Elisabeth
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Bang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005398:Fisheries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000633:toxicity; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D012426:Russia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012767:Ships; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide