title: On-site screening of farming-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with the use of an electronic mini-spirometer: results of a pilot study in Brittany, France.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Dairy farming is a risk factor for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We assessed the prevalence of farming-induced COPD (FI-COPD) using a new screening device, and we analyzed symptoms and occupational risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed on-site screening study of bronchial obstruction using an electronic mini-spirometer (EMS) on an entire population of dairy farmers (n = 147) from two villages in Brittany, France. Suspected bronchial obstruction (FEV1/FEV6 <0.8) was confirmed with standardized lung function tests (FEV1/FVC ≤0.7). We assessed past medical histories, respiratory symptoms, and occupational tasks of subjects with bronchial obstruction; asthmatics were defined as atopic and/or reversible; smoking-induced COPD patients were defined as non-reversible, non-atopic with smoking histories (≥5 PY); and FI-COPD patients were defined as non-reversible, non-atopic, and non-smokers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using the EMS, 30.6% (n = 45) of dairy farmers were suspected of bronchial obstruction and underwent standardized spirometry. The FEV1/FEV6 ratio and FEV1/FVC ratio were in good agreement (r² = 0.66, P < 0.0001). The prevalence of confirmed bronchial obstruction was 9.5% (n = 14), which included 4 asthmatics, 3 smoking-induced COPD subjects, and 7 FI-COPD subjects. All the COPD patients were GOLD Stage II, and none were aware of their respiratory disease. Foddering duration was significantly higher in FI-COPD subjects compared with non-obstructive subjects, with 44 versus 17 min/day, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The EMS was a convenient mean of screening for bronchial obstruction, especially in on-site settings, and allowed us to diagnose FI-COPD in a non-spontaneously complaining dairy farmer population. Foddering was considered a significant risk factor.
authors: Respiratory Department, Pontchaillou Hospital, Rennes 1 University, 2 Rue Henri Le Guilloux, 35033, Rennes, France. Stephane.jouneau@chu-rennes.fr
authors: Stephane
authors: S
authors: Jouneau
authors: Arnaud
authors: A
authors: Boché
authors: Graziella
authors: G
authors: Brinchault
authors: Kristina
authors: K
authors: Fekete
authors: Stephanie
authors: S
authors: Guillot
authors: Sahar
authors: S
authors: Bayat
authors: Benoit
authors: B
authors: Desrues
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D010865:Pilot Projects; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013147:Spirometry / Q000295:instrumentation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace