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Evaluation of pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in pyrochlore mine workers
Ritta de Cássia Canedo Oliveira Borges1, José Cerqueira Barros2, Fabrício Borges Oliveira1
1Curso de Fisioterapia, Centro Universitário do Planalto de Araxá - UNIARAXÁ - Araxá (MG) Brasil.
Objective::
To identify respiratory symptoms and evaluate lung function in mine workers.
Methods::
This was a cross-sectional observational study involving production sector workers of a pyrochlore mining company. The subjects completed the British Medical Research Council questionnaire, which is designed to evaluate respiratory symptoms, occupational exposure factors, and smoking status. In addition, they underwent pulmonary function tests with a portable spirometer.
Results::
The study involved 147 workers (all male). The mean age was 41.37 ± 8.71 years, and the mean duration of occupational exposure was 12.26 ± 7.09 years. We found that 33 (22.44%) of the workers had respiratory symptoms and that 26 (17.69%) showed abnormalities in the spirometry results. However, we found that the spirometry results did not correlate significantly with the presence of respiratory symptoms or with the duration of occupational exposure.
Conclusions::
The frequencies of respiratory symptoms and spirometric changes were low when compared with those reported in other studies involving occupational exposure to dust. No significant associations were observed between respiratory symptoms and spirometry results.
Objetivo::
Determinar a presença de sintomas respiratórios e avaliar a função pulmonar de trabalhadores da mineração.
MéTodos::
Estudo observacional de caráter transversal realizado com trabalhadores do setor de produção de uma mineradora de pirocloro. Para avaliar os sintomas respiratórios, fatores de exposição ocupacional e tabagismo, foi aplicado o questionário de sintomas respiratórios British Medical Research Council, e a função pulmonar foi avaliada utilizando-se um espirômetro portátil.
Resultados::
Participaram do estudo 147 trabalhadores, todos do sexo masculino, com média de idade de 41,37 ± 8,71 anos e com tempo de exposição ocupacional de 12,26 ± 7,09 anos. Foi observado que 33 (22,44%) dos trabalhadores apresentaram sintomas respiratórios e que 26 (17,69%) dos trabalhadores apresentaram alguma alteração nos resultados espirométricos. Entretanto, os resultados espirométricos não se correlacionaram significativamente com sintomas respiratórios e tempo de exposição.
ConclusõEs::
As frequências de sintomas respiratórios e de alterações espirométricas apresentaram-se baixas quando comparadas às de estudos que envolviam exposição à poeira ocupacional. Não foram observadas associações significativas dos sintomas respiratórios com os valores espirométricos.
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