Title: | Lung function and health status in metropolitan fire-fighters compared to general population controls. |
Author(s): | Schermer, T.R.J. ; Malbon, T.; Morgan, M.; Briggs, N.; Holton, C.; Appleton, S.; Adams, R.; Smith, M.; Crockett, A. |
Publication year: | 2010 |
Source: | International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, vol. 83, iss. 7, (2010), pp. 715-723 |
ISSN: | 0340-0131 |
DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-010-0528-0 |
Annotation: | 1 oktober 2010 |
Publication type: | Article / Letter to editor |
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item : http://hdl.handle.net/2066/87325 ![]() |
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Subject: | N4i 3: Poverty-related infectious diseases NCEBP 7: Effective primary care and public health |
Organization: | Primary and Community Care |
Journal title: |
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
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Volume: | vol. 83 |
Issue: | iss. 7 |
Page start: | p. 715 |
Page end: | p. 723 |
Abstract: |
PURPOSE: To assess health status of South Australian (SA) metropolitan fire-fighters in terms of lung function and health-related quality of life, compare these with general population controls, and explore associations between fire-fighters' self-reported occupational exposure and health status. METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional comparison of (respiratory) health indices between 501 fire-fighters and 1,324 general population controls taken from the North West Adelaide Health Study (NWAHS). All were men aged 21 to 61. Measurements included spirometry (i.e., forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)), forced vital capacity (FVC), mid-expiratory flow (FEF(25-75)) and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) health-related quality of life questionnaire. RESULTS: Health status in the fire-fighters was generally better than in NWAHS controls. Mean % predicted FEV(1) and FVC were 103.4% [SD 12.1] versus 89.5% [13.7] and 110.0% [11.6] versus 88.5% [12.5] (both p < 0.001 in linear regression analysis, adjusted for age, smoking, BMI, and FEV(1) % predicted). FEV(1)/FVC and FEF(25-75) were significantly lower in the fire-fighters (p < 0.003). A total of 93 (18.6%) fire-fighters and 82 (6.2%) controls had an FEV(1)/FVC < 70% (p < 0.001). The SF-36 Mental Health scale was the only scale on which fire-fighters had a lower mean score (p = 0.009), but none of the SF-36 scales showed clinically meaningful differences between the cohorts. Fire-fighters exposed > 6 h/week to dust, smoke, and fire showed lower FEV(1), FEV(1) % predicted, and FVC values compared to those who were less exposed (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Male metropolitan fire-fighters showed better general health, better lung health, and similar mental health compared to general population controls. The high rate of fire-fighters with FEV(1)/FVC values below the recommended cut-point for airflow obstruction illustrates the inappropriateness of this clinical cut-point for use in populations preselected on their physical fitness. The observed dose-effect relationship between self-reported occupational exposure and fire-fighters' lung function warrants further investigation.
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