Peak expiratory flow and respiratory morbidity: a study among silica-exposed workers in India
Rajnarayan R Tiwari1, Yashwant K Sharma, Habibullah N Saiyed
1National Institute of Occupational Health, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. rajitiwari2810@yahoo.co.in
Background:
The present cross-sectional study was carried out among 136 quartz stone grinders with the objective of studying the peak expiratory flow (PEF) and the associated epidemiological factors.
Methods:
Interview technique was used to record demographic characteristics and occupational history on a predesigned proforma, which included questionnaires regarding demographic, occupational and clinical characteristics. This was followed by complete medical examination and measurement of PEF using Spirovit SP-10. The study included 75 (55.1%) male and 61 (44.9%) female silica-exposed workers. The mean age of the subjects was 31.77 +/- 9.99 years whereas the mean duration of exposure was 2.74 +/- 1.65 years. The mean PEF was found to be 5.16 +/- 2.1 L/min.
Results:
In the present study the PEF was significantly reduced in those having respiratory morbidity on both unadjusted and adjusted analyses.
Conclusions:
This suggests that along with the restrictive pathology caused by free silica dust, obstructive changes are also encountered in silica-exposed workers.
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