title: High prevalence of obstructive lung disease in non-smoking farmers: The Irish farmers lung health study.
abstract: Mortality rates within the Irish farming community are increasing, whilst that of the general population falls. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of respiratory disease amongst Irish farmers.
  
  
  
  All study participants were farming volunteers attending an agricultural exhibition. Data collected by questionnaire included baseline demographics, respiratory history, presence of respiratory symptoms and occupational exposures. Spirometry was performed on all participants.
  
  
  
  Data from 372 farmers was analysed. The majority were male (76%) with median age of 55 years. 61% were never smokers. 13% were previously diagnosed with airway disease (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD)/Asthma/Inhaler use) with 14% reporting hayfever/allergies. Almost two-thirds reported one or more chronic respiratory symptom. Forty-four (12%) had obstructive spirometry using fixed FEV1/FVC < 0.70 criterion and 29 (7.8%) using FEV1/FVC < 5% lower limit of normal. The majority, two-thirds, were never smokers. Amongst never smokers with obstruction (13%), there was a significantly higher proportion with a prior diagnosis of airway disease and hayfever/allergies. There was no significant association between specific occupational exposures and obstruction.
  
  
  
  The majority of Irish farmers are never smokers. They have a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms. 13% of never smokers have airflow obstruction (FEV1/FVC < 0.70). The presence of airflow obstruction is significantly associated with self-reported allergy history and prior airway disease. Further studies are needed to identify the workplace factors accounting for these findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland. Electronic address: bredacushen@rcsi.ie.
authors.forename: Breda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cushen
authors.affiliation: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Imran
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sulaiman
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Bon Secours Hospital, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Noreen
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Donoghue
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Langan
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cahill
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Eimear
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nic Dhonncha
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Olivia
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Healy
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Keegan
authors.affiliation: National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Galway University Hospital, Galway, Ireland.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: O'Regan
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D000067565:Farmers; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013147:Spirometry; D014797:Vital Capacity
keywords: COPD epidemiology; Obstructive lung disease; Occupational lung disease