Prevalence and risk factors for COPD in greenhouse farmers: a large, cross-sectional survey of 5,880 farmers from northeast China.
BACKGROUND
COPD is one of the most common chronic diseases, and more and more farmers who were frequently exposed to greenhouse environments were diagnosed with COPD. However, little information is available on the prevalence of COPD among the greenhouse farmers. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of COPD and investigate the potential risk factors for COPD among the Chinese greenhouse farmers.


METHODS
Cross-sectional studies involving a sample of greenhouse farmers living in northeast China were performed via stratified-cluster-random sampling. All subjects were interviewed using a uniform questionnaire and underwent pulmonary function tests between 2006 and 2009, based on the diagnostic criteria of the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the risk factors for COPD.


RESULTS
Of the 5,880 greenhouse farmers from northeast China who were originally selected for this study, 5,420 questionnaires were completed. The overall prevalence of COPD in greenhouse farmers was 17.5%. The COPD prevalence was significantly higher in elderly subjects (≥50 years), current smokers, in those with lower body mass index (≤18.5 kg/m(2)) and less education, in those who were exposed to mushroom, flowers and poultry, and in those living in mountain and coastal region. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age over 50 years old (odds ratio [OR]=298.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]=121.57-733.84), smoking (OR=2.18, 95% CI=1.84-2.59), planting mushroom and flowers (OR=1.46 and 1.53, 95% CI=1.13-1.87 and 1.24-1.95), and living in mountain and coastal region (OR=1.68 and 1.35, 95% CI=1.37-2.06 and 1.10-1.65) were associated with the development of COPD among greenhouse farmers.


CONCLUSIONS
In northeast China, COPD is highly prevalent among greenhouse farmers, and advanced age, smoking, planting mushroom, and flowers, as well as living in mountain and coastal regions, are potential risk factors for this disease.
The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Shuo
S
Liu
The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Yangang
Y
Ren
The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Deliang
D
Wen
The Second Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Yu
Y
Chen
The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Donghong
D
Chen
The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Liyun
L
Li
The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Xuhua
X
Zhang
The Shenyang Military General Hospital, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Yibing
Y
Zhang
The General Hospital of Fushun Mining Bureau, Fushun, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Shuang
S
Fu
The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Zhenhua
Z
Li
Fengtian Hospital, Shenyang Medical College, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Shuyue
S
Xia
202nd Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Shenyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Dongliang
D
Wang
The First People's Hospital of Kazuo, Chaoyang, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Hong
H
Chen
205th Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Jinzhou, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Jian
J
Zhao
The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
Xiaoge
X
Wang
D000368:Aged; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D000067565:Farmers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
COPD; epidemiology; greenhouse farmers; prevalence; risk factor