Hyperbaric Exposure Effects on Pulmonary Functions in Hyperbaric Chamber Workers

This study aimed to investigate the effect of breathing pressurized air in two consecutive hyperbaric sessions on lung function in hyperbaric chamber inside attendants (HCIAs).

The study included 29 HCIAs working in the hospital's hyperbaric oxygen (HBO₂) therapy unit. HCIAs re-entered the HBO₂ therapy session multiple times after the break given to the internal assisted sessions due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. We assessed the pulmonary function tests (PFTs) measurements from the first two sessions to understand whether any changes in lung function that might develop in participants at the first session were permanent and what the effect would be at the second session.

There was a decrease in mean forced vital capacity (FVC) of 4.77% (p=0.003) in the first session and 4.20% (p=0.006) in the second session. Mean forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) decreased by 5.33% (p=0.003) in the first session and by 4.73% (p=0.001) in the second session. There was a decrease in mean peak expiratory flow (PEF) of 10.27% (p=0.001) in the second session. There was a decrease in mean forced expiratory flow (FEF) 25-75% of 9.64% (p=0.008) in the second session. No significant difference was found for any PFT parameters when comparing the pre-session values of the first and second sessions.

Pulmonary function in HCIAs is affected by HBO₂ therapy. There was a decrease in FEV1 and FVC in one session and all PFT parameters in the following session. This finding is important because it shows that PFT may be more affected in repeated HBO₂ therapy sessions.