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Published on: October 22, 2014
Respiratory disease and cardiovascular morbidity
R-S Koskela1, P Mutanen, J-A Sorsa
1Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenk. 41 a A, FIN-00250 Helsinki, Finland. riitta-sisko.koskela@ttl.fi
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|August 20, 2005
Summary
Occupational dust exposure is linked to respiratory issues, which in turn increase the risk of heart disease. Preceding respiratory infections independently contribute to the development of ischaemic heart disease (IHD).
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Occupational dust exposure is a known risk factor for respiratory irritation and inflammation.
- Dust and cigarette smoke exposure can increase susceptibility to respiratory infections.
- Respiratory infections are implicated as risk factors for atherosclerotic and coronary artery disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between occupational dust exposure and respiratory diseases with ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and other cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 6022 dust-exposed workers (various industries) hired between 1940-1976 was followed until 1992.
- Data on mortality and morbidity were collected using national registers and questionnaires.
- Statistical analyses included person-year analysis and Cox regression.
Main Results:
- Co-morbidity of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases ranged from 17% to 35%, with respiratory disease preceding cardiovascular disease in at least 60% of cases.
- Chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, and upper respiratory tract infections predicted IHD in specific worker groups (granite, foundry, iron foundry).
- Direct dust exposure was not a significant predictor of IHD or CVD, but was related to respiratory morbidity, suggesting respiratory diseases act as intermediate variables.
Conclusions:
- Occupational dust exposure has a minimal direct impact on IHD and other CVD.
- Ischaemic heart disease morbidity is strongly associated with preceding respiratory morbidity.
- Chronic infectious respiratory tract diseases appear to play an independent role in the development of IHD.
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