Pulmonary function impairment and airway allergy among workers in traditional bakeries

8Citations
Citations of this article
32Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the effect of exposure to flour dust on pulmonary function tests, prevalence of symptoms (respiratory, allergic/irritating) and parameters of allergic sensitization in terms of skin prick test, and bronchial hyper-responsiveness. Material and Methods: 43 bakers (with at least 2 years of occupational exposure) working at different bakeries in Ismailia city, Egypt; and 64 control subjects of comparable socio demographic characteristics were compared. All participants were subjected to an interview questionnaire, clinical chest examination, skin prick test, bronchial hyper-responsiveness test and measurements of pulmonary function parameters. Results: All respiratory and allergic symptoms were more prevalent among bakers compared to the control group, with the highest odds ratio for allergic symptoms (OR = 6.9; p < 0.0001) and dyspnea (OR = 6.3; p = 0.0004). Bakers had a higher percentage of SPT positive results with statistically significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.0001). Bakers had lower observed values compared to the control group with statistically significant difference for FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio, FEF75%, and FEF25-75% parameters. Conclusion: The present study suggested that occupational exposure to flour dust may affect respiratory irritation and sensitization, and reduce the pulmonary function tests such as FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC ratio and FEF 25-75%. © 2013 Versita Warsaw and Springer-Verlag Wien.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Fahim, A. E., & El-Prince, M. (2013). Pulmonary function impairment and airway allergy among workers in traditional bakeries. International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, 26(2), 214–219. https://doi.org/10.2478/s13382-013-0082-6

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free