Respiratory and physical health consequences in older adults in a high-risk volcanic area: Comparison of two rural villages.

INTRODUCTION: Volcanism is an important natural producer of pollution that impacts health and the quality of the environment. Lung changes caused by exposure to volcanoes have been previously studied. However, limited information exists regarding the effects of prolonged exposure to volcanic compounds. So, this study aimed to analyze the pulmonary effects and stress tolerance in older adults for chronic exposure to the volcanic ashes of the Galeras volcano. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study of association included rural inhabitants aged over 60 years from Genoy, a village located in a high volcanic hazard zone of Galeras volcano, 2603 meters above sea level. Those in this group, called exposed, were contrasted with a sample of El Encano inhabitants with similar socioeconomic and cultural characteristics. Both villages belong to the rural area of San Juan de Pasto in Colombia. RESULTS: It was found that of 31 exposed participants, 18 had obstructive alteration, and in the control group, it was found that of 31 subjects, 6 presented this alteration. The difference between the two groups was significant (p<0.001). A similar situation occurred with distal airway obstruction assessed with the forced expiratory flow of 25-75%. No significant differences were found in restrictive alteration between the exposed and unexposed groups. CONCLUSION: Chronic exposure to volcanic compounds has generated obstructive changes in the population, and these changes were greater in number and severity than those in the control group of unexposed people.

Asociación de la fuerza prensil con el riesgo cardiovascular en trabajadores sedentarios / Association of grip strength with cardiovascular risk in sedentary workers

RESUMEN Objetivo Evaluar la fuerza prensil en trabajadores sedentarios como escrutinio de riesgo cardiovascular. Método Se realizó un estudio transversal con personal administrativo. Se midió la fuerza prensil y se relacionó con las variables antropométricas, el nivel de estilo de vida adoptado por los trabajadores, estimado con la prueba FANTÁSTICO, y el nivel de Actividad física, valorado con el Cuestionario IPAQ. Resultados En 152 participantes, no se encontró asociación de la fuerza prensil con las mediciones de actividad física y estilos de vida. Tampoco con marcadores tempranos de riesgo cardiovascular. La población tenía buenos estilos de vida con alto nivel de sedentarismo. A diferencia de otras investigaciones, nuestra población tenía índices de comorbilidad muy bajos y no eran ancianos. Esto podría explicar los resultados diferentes. Conclusión La fuerza prensil no parece ser útil en las evaluaciones de programas de estilos de vida en trabajadores sedentarios adultos con bajo nivel de comorbilidades.

ABSTRACT Objective To assess prehensile strength in administrative personnel as screening for cardiovascular risk. Method A cross-sectional study was carried out with administrative personnel. Prehensile strength was measured and was related to anthropometric variables, the level of lifestyle adopted by the workers, estimated with the FANTASTIC Test, and the level of physical activity, assessed with the IPAQ Questionnaire. Results In 152 participants, no association of prehensile strength was found with physical activity and lifestyles measurements. Nor with early cardiovascular risk markers. The population had good lifestyles with a high level of sedentary behavior. Unlike other investigations, our population had very low comorbidity rates and were not elderly. This could explain the different results. Conclusion Prehensile force does not seem to be useful in evaluating lifestyle programs in administrative personnel with a low level of comorbidities.