Occupation and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Minsk tractor plant workers

Background

The aim of this study was to measure the association of exposure to dust at workplace with COPD using objective methods of exposure and outcome classification.

Methods

Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) to forced vital capacity (FVC) <70%; FVC below LLN, and FEV₁ below LLN from the annual screening of Minsk Tractor Plant workers (N = 458) were tested for predictors in an adjusted logistic regression model.

Results

In a regression model, adjusted for pack-years of smoking, age, sex, and work duration, work in highly exposed workplaces was associated with FEV₁/FVC<70% (odds ratio (OR) 2.10 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16;3.83); and FEV₁<LLN (OR 2.24 (95% CI 1.18;4.25)). Given the fraction of workers exposed 0.20, population attributable fraction (PAF%) of COPD due to dust exposure was 18%.

Conclusions

Workers in highly exposed to dust workplaces had double odds of developing COPD.

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