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Long-term changes in spirometry in occupational divers: a 10-25 year audit.
Christopher Sames1, Desmond F Gorman2, Simon J Mitchell3
1Clinical Director, Slark Hyperbaric Unit, PO Box 32051 Devonport, Auckland 0744, New Zealand, chris.sames@waitematadhb.govt.nz.
Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine
|March 21, 2018
Summary
Long-term occupational diving did not cause clinically significant changes in lung function tests. Routine spirometry is not recommended for asymptomatic divers engaged in this profession.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Pulmonary Physiology
- Diving Medicine
Background:
- Occupational diving involves prolonged exposure to altered atmospheric pressures.
- Potential long-term effects of diving on respiratory health remain a concern.
- Spirometric measurements are standard for assessing lung function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if sustained occupational diving leads to significant alterations in spirometric measurements.
- To compare lung function changes in divers with age-predicted normative values.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of spirometry data from 232 New Zealand occupational divers with over 10 years of records.
- Comparison of individual lung function changes (FVC, FEV1, PEF) against published prediction equations.
- Statistical correlation of spirometric changes with diving duration, age, gender, smoking history, and BMI.
Main Results:
- Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) showed slight declines, less than age-predicted.
- Peak expiratory flow (PEF) declined more than expected for age in longer-term divers.
- While PEF changes were statistically significant and correlated with diving duration, age, and BMI, they were clinically insignificant.
Conclusions:
- No clinically significant spirometric changes attributable to long-term occupational diving were identified.
- The study does not support the routine use of spirometry for asymptomatic divers.
- Diving appears to have a minimal impact on lung function over extended periods.
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