Biomedical subjects

J Doko-Jelinić

Publications and source records attributed to J Doko-Jelinić.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1997

[Ventilatory capacity and respiratory symptoms in brickyard workers].

We studied 233 male brickyard workers and 149 matched non-exposed control workers. The mean age of the brickyard workers was 35 years with the mean duration of employment in this industry of 16 years. Significantly higher prevalence of chronic cough (31.8%), chronic phlegm (26.2%) and chest tightness (24.0%) was found in the exposed workers than in controls (20.1%; 18.1%; 0%) (P < 0.05). A high prevalence of acute symptoms during work shift, particularly dry throat and eye and throat irritation, were found in the brickyard workers. The measured FVC and FEV1 values were significantly lower than predicted values. On the other hand, the measured FEF50 and FEF25 were not significantly lower than predicted. This was found in the exposed smokers and nonsmokers. Dust concentrations were considerably higher than recommended for dust which contains up to 70% of SiO2. Our data suggest that the brickyard workers display a high potential to develop acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and mostly restrictive changes of lung function.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

[Disorders of the respiratory tract in workers in the chemical industry].

This paper studies the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and diseases in 567 chemical workers and in 340 controls as well as their ventilatory capacity. The prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms was found to be significantly higher in the exposed workers than in controls (p < 0.01). Workers aged over 40 and those employed for over 10 years demonstrated higher prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms than the workers up to 40 and those employed for up to 10 years, although the differences were not statistically significant. A large number of chemical workers complained of acute respiratory symptoms manifesting during the shift. The measured values of ventilatory capacity in chemical workers were significantly lower than those predicted. The findings were more pronounced in workers over 40 and in those employed for over 10 years. The measured values of gases and fumes in the working environment were mostly below the recommended values. Our data suggest that, in spite of low atmospheric pollution of the working environment, sensitive workers may develop respiratory impairments.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

[Respiratory symptoms, diseases and ventilatory function in shoe industry workers].

The respiratory health status was studied in 376 female shoe workers. The mean age of workers was 32 years and the mean exposure 12 years. A significantly higher prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms and diseases was found in exposed compared to control workers. This was particularly pronounced for chest tightness (exposed: 44.7%; control: 0%), dyspnoea (exposed: 42.6%; control: 2.0%) and rhinitis (exposed: 46.3%; control: 2.4%). In exposed workers there was also a high prevalence of acute symptoms which developed during work shift, particularly irritation of the throat (56.6%), dryness of the throat (61.4%), dryness of the nose (56.4%), and eye irritation (63.6%). The prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and diseases increased with duration of exposure. There were also statistically significant acute reductions in all ventilatory capacity tests (FVC, FEV1, FEF50, FEF25) during work shift. The measured ventilatory capacity values in exposed workers were significantly lower in comparison with the predicted values (P < 0.01). Lung function severity increased with duration of employment. The data suggest that occupational exposure to atmospheric pollution in the shoe manufacturing industry may be responsible for the development of acute and chronic respiratory impairment.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1996

[Respiratory findings in textile workers employed in dyeing wool and cotton].

The prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and diseases and ventilatory capacity were studied in 97 textile workers employed in dyeing wool and cotton fibres and in 76 non-exposed control workers. The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms was significantly higher in the textile workers compared to controls. The symptoms of occupational asthma were recorded in 7.2 per cent of the textile workers. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was higher in exposed smokers than in exposed non-smokers. The textile workers employed for more than 10 years had a higher prevalence of all respiratory symptoms than those with a shorter period of employment. The textile workers showed a high prevalence of acute symptoms which developed during work shift. Significant acute reductions of ventilatory capacity tests on maximum expiratory flow-volume curves (MEFV) in textile workers varied from 5.1% for FVC to 12.4% for FEF25. Ventilatory capacity tests in the textile workers before work shift were significantly diminished in comparison to the predicted values. Our data indicate that work in the textile dyeing industry may cause the development of respiratory symptoms and diseases as well as impairment of ventilatory capacity.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Follow-up study of changes in respiratory function in the same workers after an additional 6 years of exposure to pollutants in the rubber industry].

Follow-up study of respiratory function was carried out in a group of 311 male workers employed in one rubber industry. The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and ventilatory capacity were recorded over te period of six years. Lung function was measured by recording maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves on which forced vital capacity (FVC), one-second forced expiratory volume (FEVI) and flow rates at 50% and the last 25% of the vital capacity (FEF50, FEF25) were read. The prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms was higher during the follow-up study although not statistically significant (p > 0.05). During both studies smokers had significantly higher prevalence of chronic cough, chronic phlegm and chronic bronchitis than nonsmokers (p < 0.05 or < 0.025). Measured values of ventilatory capacity were significantly lower than predicted normal values during both studies (p < 0.01). Percentage of predicted values were lower during the follow-up study in comparison to that during the initial study. The mean lowest percentages were obtained for FEF25 (initial study: 77.4%; follow-up study: 70.5%). Smokers had larger mean annual decrease of FVC: 0.073 L; FEVI: 0.063 L; FEF50: 0.100 L/s; FEF25: 0.085 L/s than nonsmokers (FVC: 0.063 L; FEVI: 0.058 L; FEF50: 0.083 L/s; FEF25: 0.058 L/s). Workers exposed for more than 10 years had larger mean annual decrease of ventilatory capacity tests than hose with shorter exposure. Our data indicate that exposure to noxious agents in rubber industry may be responsible for the development of chronic respiratory symptoms and chronic lung function changes.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Respiratory function in rubber-processing workers].

The prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and diseases as well as lung function changes were studied in 409 rubber male workers and 172 nonexposed control male workers. Ventilatory capacity was measured by recording maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves on which forced vital capacity (FVC), one second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and flow rates at 50% and the last 25% of vital capacity were calculated (FEF50, FEF25). A significantly higher prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms except asthma was found in rubber workers in comparison to the controls. Smokers had significantly higher prevalence of most of the chronic respiratory symptoms than nonsmokers. Rubber workers exposed for more than 10 years had also significantly higher prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms than those with shorter exposure. A high prevalence of acute symptoms during work shift was recorded in rubber workers. Ventilatory capacity was mostly decreased during work shift, particularly FEF50 and FEF25. All acute reductions were greater in rubber workers exposed for more than 10 years as compared to those with shorter exposure. Alupent inhaled at the end of the work shift significantly improved decreased values. Rubber workers demonstrated significantly lower ventilatory capacity tests with respect to the controls. A large number of rubber workers showed a decrease in lung functions tests less than 70% of the predicted normal values. Our data suggest that rubber workers are exposed to numerous noxious agents which may lead to acute and/or chronic impairment of lung function.

Adolescent↗