title: [Otoneurologic and cardiovascular abnormalities associated to carbon monoxide poisoning in occupational exposed workers].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Even though Federal Labor Law includes carbon monoxide poisoning in the list of occupational diseases, the registration of this intoxication rarely occurs in a work environment. The objective was to determine the association of this poisoning with cardiovascular and otoneurologic disorders, in order to establish adequately this diagnosis as a work-related illness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey performed in a group of broiler production workers, compared with a control group (n = 54). The sample consisted of people aged between 18 and 74 years, males and females, smokers and non-smokers. We excluded those participants with clinical history of cardiac attack. We determined carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) rates in exhaled air, and performed an audiometric test, and a 12-lead electrocardiogram.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We studied 54 workers (57 % males and 43 % females). We obtained a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) to develop hearing loss between the two groups, an odds ratio > 1 also in regards to hearing loss, and cardiovascular manifestations (anterior fascicle hemiblock).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Otoneurologic and cardiovascular abnormalities in occupationally exposed workers to carbon monoxide are not casual, and suggest a cause-effect relationship.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Medicina Familiar 61, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Veracruz, Veracruz. almasailor@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Alma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vargas-Martínez
authors.forename: Víctor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Reyna-López
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Ortega
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D002263:Carboxyhemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019649:Food Industry; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002263:Carboxyhemoglobin
keywords: Carbon moxide; Carboxyhemoglobin; Occupational diseases