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Airflow obstruction attributable to work in industry and occupation among U.S. race/ethnic groups: A study of NHANES III data
Author(s) -
Hnizdo Eva,
Sullivan Patricia A.,
Bang Ki Moon,
Wagner Gregory
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20042
Subject(s) - medicine , ethnic group , national health and nutrition examination survey , population , demography , asthma , body mass index , odds ratio , airflow , gerontology , environmental health , sociology , anthropology , mechanical engineering , engineering
Objectives To estimate the fraction of airflow obstruction attributable to workplace exposure by U.S. race/ethnic group. Methods U.S. population‐based third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) data on 4,086 Caucasians, 2,774 African‐Americans, and 2,568 Mexican‐Americans, aged 30–75, were studied. Airflow obstruction was defined as FEV1/FVC<75% and FEV1<80% predicted. Weighted prevalence, and prevalence odds ratios (OR) adjusted for the effect of age, smoking status, pack‐years, body mass index, education, and socio‐economic status were estimated using SUDAAN software. Results Industries with the most cases of airflow obstruction attributable to workplace exposure include: armed forces; rubber, plastics, and leather manufacturing; utilities; textile mill manufacturing; health care; food products manufacturing; sales; construction; and agriculture. The fraction of cases with airflow obstruction associated with work in industry varied by race/ethnic group and was estimated as 22.2% (95% CI 9.1–33.4) among Caucasians, 23.4% (95% CI 2.2–40.0) among African‐Americans, and 49.6% (32.1–62.6) among Mexican‐Americans. Conclusions This study found differences in the fraction of airflow obstruction cases associated with employment pattern among major U.S. race/ethnic population groups. Am. J. Ind. Med. 46:126–135, 2004. Published 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.