Prevalence of airflow obstruction and chronic bronchitis by occupational groups among the U.S. population aged 40-79 years: NHANES survey data 2007-2010

Details

• Personal Author:
  Doney B ; Halldin, Cara N. ; Hnizdo, Eva ; Kurth L
• Description:
  Rationale: The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of airflow obstruction and chronic bronchitis by occupational groups among the U.S. population. Methods: Spirometry and interview data for adults aged 40-79 from the 2007-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative survey of the non-institutionalized U.S. population, were analyzed. The prevalence of airflow obstruction was estimated based on American Thoracic Society (ATS) criteria using pre-bronchodilator spirometry test results. Airflow obstruction was defined as forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) < lower limit of normal (LLN) and moderate and more severe airflow obstruction was defined as FEV1/FVC < LLN and FEV1 < 70% predicted. Adult interview data was used to analyze doctor-diagnosed chronic bronchitis by occupational groups. Linear regression models were used to estimate prevalence of airflow obstruction or doctor-diagnosed chronic bronchitis and identify occupational groups with highest prevalence. The 23 Bureau of Census occupational groups were further combined to 14 groups based on self-reported occupational exposure to mineral dust, organic dust, exhaust fumes, and other fumes. Results: The age-adjusted overall prevalence of airflow obstruction among ever working adults 40-79 years was 16.6% (SE 0.9). The occupational groups with prevalence greater than 20% included installation, maintenance and repair; production; construction, extraction, and agricultural; and food preparation and serving. The age-adjusted prevalence of moderate and more severe airflow obstruction was 5.9% (SE 0.7) and occupational groups greater than 8% included installation, maintenance and repair; building and grounds cleaning and maintenance; food preparation and serving; construction, extraction and agricultural; production; and transportation and material moving. The age-adjusted prevalence of chronic bronchitis was 4.6% (SE 0.6), and the occupational groups with the highest prevalence included food preparation and serving (8.8%, SE 2.4); healthcare (7.1%, SE 2.3); and production (6.4%, SE 1.6). Conclusions: Prevalence of airflow obstruction, moderate and more serve airflow obstruction, and chronic bronchitis varied by occupations, suggesting workplace exposures may contribute to obstructive pulmonary disease. The occupational groups with the highest prevalence for airflow obstruction and moderate and more severe airflow obstruction included installation, maintenance and repair; production; construction, extraction, and agricultural; and food preparation and serving. Two of these groups, production and food preparation and serving, also had high prevalence of chronic bronchitis. Occupational groups with typically greater exposures to agents associated with obstructive pulmonary disease had higher prevalence of airflow obstruction and chronic bronchitis in this study. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Age Factors Air Pollutants, Occupational Diagnosis Dust Food-Processing Industry Food Handling Food Industry Manufacturing And Industrial Facilities Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Respiratory Function Tests Respiratory System Respiratory Tract Diseases Safety Surveys And Questionnaires

  More +
• Keywords:
  Age Factors Airway Obstruction Bronchiolitis Chronic Inflammation Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Clinical Diagnosis Clinical Tests COPD Exhaust Gases Food Processing Food Services Fumes Health Care Health Surveys Humans Industrial Processes Manufacturing Mineral Dusts Occupational Exposure Occupations Organic Dusts Regression Analysis Respiratory System Disorders Spirometry Vital Capacity Workers

  More +
• ISSN:
  1073-449X
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; West Virginia
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  RHD - Respiratory Health Division
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  191
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20048598
• Citation:
  Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2015 May; 191(Abstract Issue):A2300
• Contact Point Address:
  B. Doney, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Morgantown, WV
• Email:
  bdoney@cdc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2015
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
• Supplement:
  Abstract Issue
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:fed5ce2022b0cdb76929893aae75e499f490607fe238dc4b39c94661ce234afbea9a61f46fca9ef9b824a2abd8c2fcce63f336688b1c7b44f46ff864b3f3bb53
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/203317/cdc_203317_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 17.48 KB ]