title: Occupational Risk Factors for COPD: A Case-Control Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this research was to examine the occupational risk factors for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD) in a range of occupations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven occupations involving different types of exposure were observed in this multicenter case-control study. Controls and cases were matched for sex, age and smoking. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1,519 participants were initially recruited between September 2004 and September 2012. After matching, 547 pairs were obtained. The mean age was 56.3 +/- 10.4 years. Smelter workers were the only ones with an increased risk of COPD in this study (OR = 7.6, p < 0.0001, 95% CI [4.5, 12.9]). Physical activity was protective (OR = 0.7), while living in the city was a risk (OR = 1.6). The main used metals were cast iron, aluminum and alloys. Molds and cores were mainly made from sand and synthetic resins. Machine maintenance (65.2%), molding (49.6%), finishing (41.1%) and casting (41.0%) were the most common activities. Almost all workers (95.1%) cleaned the floors and machines with a brush or compressed air.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates the importance of occupational factors in the genesis of COPD, especially among smelter workers. As with the fight against smoking-related disease, the removal or substitution of recognized hazardous agents is the best way of preventing the onset of COPD. This is why it is essential to continue research on its occupational risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Reims, Reims, France.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kraïm-Leleu
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.|Epsylon EA 4556, Department of Psychology. University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: Francois-Xavier
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Lesage
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Reims, Reims, France.
authors.forename: Moustapha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Drame
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Reims, Reims, France.
authors.forename: Francois
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lebargy
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Reims, Reims, France.
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Deschamps
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology