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Small airways disease in coal miners. A longitudinal study
Bulletin De Physio-Pathologie Respiratoire
|November 1, 1975
Summary
Coal miners experienced significant declines in expiratory airflow over four years, indicating potential respiratory issues. Lung function tests revealed abnormalities in closing volumes, suggesting early signs of lung disease in this occupational group.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Coal miners are at risk for respiratory diseases due to occupational dust exposure.
- Previous studies have indicated lung function abnormalities in coal miners.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-examine a cohort of coal miners and controls after four years to assess longitudinal changes in lung function.
- To investigate the relationship between lung volumes, expiratory flow rates, and closing volumes in coal miners.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 17 non-smoking coal miners and 6 controls re-examined after 4 years.
- Measurements included lung volumes, maximal expiratory flow-volume curves, and closing volumes.
- Analysis of frequency dependence of dynamic compliance and upstream airways resistance.
Main Results:
- Miners showed a marked decline in maximal expiratory flow at mid-vital capacity (V 50%) without significant change in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1).
- Abnormalities in closing capacity (CC/TLC)% and closing volume (CV/VC)% were found in a significant proportion of miners.
- Elevated closing capacity and closing volume correlated with hyperinflation, indicated by increased residual volume.
Conclusions:
- Coal miners exhibit progressive expiratory airflow limitation, potentially related to small airway changes.
- Elevated closing volumes may indicate hyperinflation and early lung disease in coal miners.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms and long-term implications of these lung function changes.