Lung function change in hyperbaric chamber inside attendants

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Pulmonology
• Hyperbaric Medicine

Background:

• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is increasingly used for non-diving related conditions in Thailand.
• Hyperbaric inside attendants (HIAs) work in high-pressure environments, necessitating an understanding of potential health impacts.
• This study focuses on the long-term pulmonary effects experienced by HIAs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the longitudinal changes in lung function among HIAs.
• To determine the relationship between hyperbaric exposure parameters and lung function decline.
• To compare the lung function of HIAs with predicted values for the Thai population.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective longitudinal study design was employed.
• Data from HIAs with at least two lung function tests and a minimum one-year interval were analyzed.
• Lung function parameters were compared against reference values for the Thai population.

Main Results:

• Over a mean follow-up of 9.26 years, HIAs showed significant annual decreases in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced expiratory flow at 25-75% of functional vital capacity (FEF25-75%), and the FEV1/FVC ratio.
• Annual reductions were 22.52 mL/year for FEV1, 44.92 mL/s/year for FEF25-75%, and 0.48%/year for FEV1/FVC ratio.
• Working depths, session duration, and total hours were associated with lung function changes.

Conclusions:

• Working within a hyperbaric environment negatively impacts the lung function of HIAs.
• Periodic lung function assessments are crucial for monitoring potential harm to attendants.
• Fitness-to-work evaluations should be implemented alongside regular health monitoring.