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Respiratory symptoms and airway obstruction in swine veterinarians: A persistent problem
Author(s) -
Andersen C.I.,
Von Essen Susanna G.,
Smith L.M.,
Spencer J.,
Jolie Rika,
Donham Kelley J.
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.20080
Subject(s) - medicine , airway obstruction , respiratory system , airway , intensive care medicine , respiratory disease , anesthesia , lung
Abstract Objective There are many occupational hazards associated with the practice of swine veterinarians. To reassess the prevalence of respiratory complaints and pulmonary function abnormalities in this group. Methods This was a cross‐sectional study conducted during the American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting. Subjects completed a respiratory symptom/work history questionnaire and performed spirometry. Results Participants included 122 veterinarians (median age = 42.5 years). Work‐related symptoms included rhinitis symptoms (69%), cough and chest tightness (53%), wheezing (31%). Airway obstruction was seen in 24% of participants. Veterinarians with airway obstruction reported working more hours per week in hog barns than did practitioners with normal pulmonary function ( P = 0.009). Conclusions Respiratory symptoms were common in the swine veterinarians tested as was airway obstruction. The association with these findings and hog barn exposure suggests that working in these facilities is still a risk factor for airway disease. Am. J. Ind. Med. 46:386–392, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.