Chest
Original ResearchCOPDChronic Bronchitis, COPD, and Lung Function in Farmers: The Role of Biological Agents
Section snippets
Study Population
Farmers from southeast Norway and spouses engaged in farming (all called farmers hereafter) were selected from the Norwegian government's Register of Farmers. A total of 8,482 farmers participated in medical examinations during 1991,12 which included spirometry, blood sampling, and a questionnaire (participation rate, 79%). Atopy was assessed in a hierarchical stratified sample based on self-reported ever-asthma, chronic bronchitis, COPD, work-related mucous membrane irritations, and no
Results
The population characteristics are summarized in Table 1 and annual exposure levels in Table 2. The levels of agents with occupational exposure limits (OELs) were generally below the Norwegian OELs. However, fungal spore levels exceeded the risk levels published in a recent criteria document,28 and in most cases, endotoxin levels exceeded the proposed OEL for endotoxins in the Netherlands.29 Only minor differences in exposure levels were found between men and women (data not shown). Many agents
Discussion
Livestock farmers had significantly higher prevalence of chronic bronchitis and COPD than crop farmers; FEV1 was lower, but no significant difference was observed for FVC. Duration of farming was associated with significant reductions both in FEV1 and FVC. All types of livestock farmers had elevated risks of chronic bronchitis. Dairy farmers had significantly increased COPD. Farmers raising more than one type of livestock had significantly increased risks of chronic bronchitis and COPD, and
Acknowledgments
Author contributions: Dr. Eduard performed the study, wrote the manuscript, and performed the statistical analysis. Dr. Pearce participated in the strategy of the statistical analysis and contributed to the manuscript. Dr. Douwes analyzed the samples for endotoxins, glucans, and EPS Asp/Pen antigens, participated in the statistical analysis, and wrote parts of the manuscript.
Financial/nonfinancial disclosures: The authors have reported to the ACCP that no significant conflicts of interest exist
References (0)
Cited by (248)
Ageing and disease risk factors: A new paleoepidemiological methodology for understanding disease in the past
2024, International Journal of PaleopathologyRespiratory impairments in workers of a modern livestock complex: A 6-year longitudinal study
2023, Toxicologie Analytique et CliniqueRurality as a Risk Factor for Pulmonary Health Disparities
2023, Clinics in Chest MedicinePectin alleviates the pulmonary inflammatory response induced by PM<inf>2.5</inf> from a pig house by modulating intestinal microbiota
2023, Ecotoxicology and Environmental SafetyBilans de santé pour la population agricole sous-consommante française : évaluation pilote du programme des Instants santé de la MSA
2023, Revue d'Epidemiologie et de Sante PubliqueAn assessment of occupational exposure to bioaerosols in automated versus manual waste sorting plants
2023, Environmental Research
Support/Funding: This project was financially supported by the Agricultural Research Council of Norway, the Agricultural Agreement Research Fund, the Agricultural Investment Fund, Norske Meierier (Norwegian Dairies), Gjensidige (insurance company), and Forenede (insurance company). Pharmacia Diagnostics supplied the reagents for the Phadebas Phadiatop and specific IgE tests, and Nycomed Pharma performed the RAST analyses. The Centre for Public Health Research is supported by a Programme Grant from the Health Research Council (HRC) of New Zealand.
Reproduction of this article is prohibited without written permission from the American College of Chest Physicians (www.chestjournal.org/site/misc/reprints.xhtml).