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Changes in lung function in Republic of Singapore Navy divers
Si Jack Chong1, Teck Wei Tan, Jordan Yu Jin Lim
1Head of the Medical Doctrine and Training Branch, RSN, AFPN 6060, 126 Tanah Merah Coast Road, Singapore 498822, Phone: +65-6544-4949, Fax: +65-6544-4955,
Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine
|June 14, 2012
Summary
Singapore Navy divers maintained lung function over five years, with significant improvements in capacity and flow rates. Despite statistical changes, the overall clinical impact on diver lung health was minimal.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Occupational Health
- Diving Physiology
Background:
- Diving can lead to long-term adverse lung effects.
- Annual spirometry is used in the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) to monitor diver lung function.
- Limited data exists on lung function in Asian divers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the lung function of RSN divers over a five-year period.
- To assess changes in spirometric parameters in a cohort of divers.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of RSN divers' spirometry results from 2001 and 2006.
- 116 subjects completed spirometry at the same center in both years.
Main Results:
- Statistically significant increases in mean forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1).
- Significant increase in mean peak expiratory flow.
- A statistically significant decrease in the FEV1/FVC ratio was observed.
- No significant relationship found between years of service, smoking history, and lung function changes.
Conclusions:
- RSN divers showed no decline in lung function over the five-year period.
- Observed statistically significant changes were likely of minimal clinical significance.
- Annual screening effectively monitors diver respiratory health.
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