Biomedical subjects

J Doko-Jelinic

Publications and source records attributed to J Doko-Jelinic.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1998

Respiratory findings in workers employed in the brick-manufacturing industry.

We studied 233 male workers employed in two brick-manufacturing plants and 149 matched control workers. The mean age of the brick workers was 35 years, with a mean duration of employment in this industry of 16 years. The prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms as well as acute symptoms during the work shift were recorded. Lung function was measured on Monday during the work shift by recording maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves, from which the forced vital capacity (FVC), the one-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and flow rates at 50% and the last 75% of the FVC (FEF50, FEF75) were measured. The results of periodic chest roentgenograms were reviewed. There was a significantly higher prevalence of chronic cough (31.8%), chronic phlegm (26.2%), and chest tightness (24.0%) in exposed workers, compared with control workers (20.1%; 18.1%; 0%) (P < 0.05). This increased symptom frequency was also documented among nonsmokers studied by age and by length of employment, suggesting a work-related effect. Among work shift-related symptoms, high prevalences were noted for upper respiratory tract symptoms (e.g., dry throat, eye irritation, throat irritation). The measured FVC and FEV1 were significantly lower than predicted for brick workers and suggested a restrictive pattern. The mean FVC (as a percent of predicted) was 78.1% and FEV1 was 88.1%. The FEF50 and FEF25 were not significantly decreased. A multiple regression analysis with age, exposure, and smoking as predictors and lung function parameters as response variables showed a significant effect between exposure and FVC. Significant chest roentgenographic abnormalities were not documented. These findings of a restrictive lung function pattern in brick workers with normal chest roentgenograms may suggest early interstitial disease. Additionally, a bronchitic component, as suggested by the respiratory symptoms, may also be present.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Respiratory function in shoe manufacturing workers.

A study of respiratory findings was performed on 376 female workers employed in a shoe manufacturing plant. The mean age of the workers was 32 years and the mean duration of their employment was 12 years. These workers were predominantly nonsmokers. Acute and chronic respiratory symptoms were recorded for each worker, and lung function was measured before and after the work shift. Maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves were performed on which forced vital capacity (FVC), 1-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1), and flow rates at 50% and the last 25% (FEF50, FEF25) were measured. Significantly higher prevalences of all chronic respiratory symptoms were recorded in exposed compared to control workers; in particular, chest tightness (exposed: 44.7%; control: 0%), dyspnea (exposed: 42.6%; control: 2.0%), and rhinitis (exposed: 46.3%; control: 2.4%) were far more prevalent in workers than in controls. Among the shoe workers, there was also a high prevalence of acute symptoms that developed during the work shift, being most pronounced for nose and throat irritation (61.4%). The prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms increased with duration of employment. Statistically significant across-shift reductions were recorded for all ventilatory capacity tests for the group as a whole. In comparison to predicted, the measured ventilatory capacity parameters were significantly lower for all workers (p < 0.01). Lung function abnormalities increased with duration of employment. Environmental measurements demonstrated that benzene, fur, and synthetic fibers were found at higher than allowable maximal concentrations (Croatian standards). The data suggest that work in the shoe manufacturing industry may be responsible for the development of acute and chronic respiratory impairment.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1997

Respiratory function of textile workers employed in dyeing cotton and wool fibers.

A group of 135 textile dyeing workers (97 male and 38 female) was studied for the prevalence of acute and chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function changes. Respiratory symptoms were elicited by a standardized questionnaire, and lung function testing was performed before and after the morning shift by recording maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves. In addition, 103 nonexposed control workers were studied. The prevalence of all chronic respiratory symptoms was significantly higher in the exposed than in the control workers; in particular, the prevalence of occupational asthma was 6%. The exposed nonsmoking workers had more complaints than the controls who were nonsmokers. As expected, most of the symptoms were more prevalent in smokers than in nonsmokers. Nonsmokers with both long- and short-term work exposure had higher prevalences of dyspnea and rhinitis than control workers. Smokers exposed for 10 years or less had significantly higher prevalences of chronic phlegm than nonsmokers with the same duration of exposure (p < 0.05). In workers exposed for > 10 years, there were significantly higher prevalences of chronic cough, chronic phlegm, and chronic bronchitis in smokers than in nonsmokers (p < 0.01). A high prevalence of shift-related symptoms was found in exposed workers. Significant across-shift reductions of ventilatory capacity tests were documented in this cohort and varied from an average of 4.0% for FVC to 14.2% for FEF25. Preshift values of ventilatory capacity were significantly lower in this exposed population compared to predicted values suggesting a chromic effect. Our data suggest that textile dyeing workers develop acute and chronic respiratory impairment as a result of their exposures. These findings are exacerbated by cigarette smoking.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Longitudinal study of respiratory findings in rubber workers.

A cross-sectional assessment of respiratory function and symptoms was performed in 1985 on 409 male rubber workers and 172 unexposed control workers. A follow-up study in 311 of the original rubber workers was performed 6 years later. Ventilatory capacity was measured by recording maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves. At the time of the initial study, significantly higher prevalences of all chronic respiratory symptoms, except for asthma, were found among the rubber workers compared to controls. Smokers had a significantly higher prevalence of most of the chronic respiratory symptoms compared with nonsmokers. A high prevalence of acute symptoms during the workshift was recorded among the rubber workers at both surveys. Rubber workers demonstrated significantly lower ventilatory capacity measurements compared to predicted. Ventilatory capacity measurements diminished significantly across the workshift, particularly FEF50 and FEF25. Metaproterenol inhaled at the end of the workshift significantly improved lung function in a small group of sensitive rubber workers. Annual lung function loss among both smokers and nonsmokers was in excess of predicted. Our data suggest that exposure to noxious agents in the rubber industry are associated with the development of acute and chronic respiratory impairment.

Adolescent↗