Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of occupational etiology
| Abstract Title: | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease of occupational etiology |
| Authors: | Stelian Morariu |
| Affiliation: | “Vasile Goldis” Western University Arad, Romania Clinic Municipal Hospital Arad, Romania |
| Abstract text: | Premises and objectives. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents an important public health problem, main cause that generates a temporary incapacity to work and one of the first causes of death world-wide. In this research we have proposed to highlight the risks of rendering sick of COPD at workers exposed to wooden dusts, metallic dusts, welding smoke and gasses. Materials and methods. There were studied two groups, each made out of 35 patients aged between 42 and 58 years, patients that were diagnoses with COPD and treated at the Professional Disease Clinical Section Arad. Group I was made out of subjects that were exposed at the work place to the conditions mentioned above. Smokers were excluded from the group. Group II was made out of persons without a significantly professional exposure. 81% were smokers. Subjects of both groups were asked to complete a questionnaire that shows us their profession, for how long they have been working, their professional exposure, record of past respiratory affections and their habit of smoking, respiratory symptoms at the work place and the frequency of their hospitalization. Results. The study proved that 74% of the patients in group I are exhibited significantly to the professional exposure (exposure time and concentration) and haven’t encountered previous respiratory affections. 55% of the subjects in group II had encountered previous respiratory affections, bronchial hyper-responsiveness. Conclusions: 1) Growth of prevalence of COPD at non-smokers; 2) Exaggerated protective response to harmful inhalant exposure; 3) Intense and prolonged exposure to wooden dusts, metallic dusts, welding smoke and gases can cause COPD. |
| Keywords: | COPD, the professional exposure, respiratory affections |
| Presentation type: | Oral |
| Correspondence: | no. 1 Mihai Viteazu Sq., Arad, Romania |
| Email: | morariu.stelian@yahoo.com |
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