RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Hajj is the world's largest gathering to Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Wearing cotton made Ihram is a basic and an essential component of Hajj. The aim of this study was to investigate the lung functions among Hajj pilgrims who were wearing cotton towel ihram (ihram with fibers) compared to those who were wearing plain cotton ihram (ihram without fibers). METHODS: Ninety male, non-smoker, Hajj pilgrim volunteers with age ranged 20-60 years were selected. Forty five of them wore cotton towel ihram and 45 wore plain ihram. A day before leaving for Hajj and wearing ihram (6th Dhu-al-Hijjah) lung function base line parameters of Hajj pilgrims were determined. Hajj Pilgrims continuously wear ihram from 7-10th Dhu-al-Hijjah. In the afternoon of 10th Dhu-al-Hijjah, after removal of ihram, all parameters were repeated and at the completion of Hajj when all pilgrims return to their homes at Riyadh, all parameters were recorded again. RESULTS: Before wearing Ihram, anthropometric and lung function baseline parameters were recorded, no significant difference was found between the study population. After wearing Ihram on the 7th Dhu-al-Hijjah and its removal on the 10th Dhu-al-Hijjah significant decline in the lung function test parameters was observed among Hajj pilgrims who were wearing cotton towel ihram. Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) 4.30±1.18 vs. 5.03±1.41 (p=0.01); Forced Expiratory Flow 25% (FEF-25%) 4.39±1.94 vs. 5.69±2.84 (p=0.03); Forced Expiratory Flow-50% (FEF-50%) 2.93±1.65 vs. 4.07±2.08 (p=0.01); Forced Expiratory Flow-75% (FEF-75%) 1.02±0.70 vs. 1.66±0.94 (p=0.002) compared to those who were wearing plain ihram. CONCLUSIONS: Lung function test parameters were decreased among the Hajj pilgrims who were wearing cotton towel ihram compared to those who were wearing plain cotton ihram. The pattern of impairment of lung function shows an obstructive peripheral airway lung involvement. It is suggested to conduct further large sample size studies to confirm the present study observations and reach at better conclusions.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Occupational and environmental exposure to petroleum refinery products poses a great threat to human health. This study aimed to assess the lung function and Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) among petroleum refinery workers. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 112 participants (56 petroleum refinery workers with mean age 35.20 ± 1.62 years, and 56 age, weight, height, ethnicity and socioeconomically matched control subjects with mean age 30.02 ± 1.76 years) were recruited. A comprehensive clinical history and examination was conducted to decide whether to include in the study or not. Ventilatory lung function test parameters were recorded by using a Spirometer and Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) was measured by Niox Mino. RESULTS: A significant decline in lung function parameters FEV1 (p = 0.0001), FEV1/FVC Ratio (p = 0.01), PEF (p = 0.0001), FEF 25 % (p = 0.0001), FEF-50 % (p = 0.012) was observed among oil refinery workers compared to their matched controls. However, there was no difference in the mean values of FeNO between the groups. CONCLUSION: Subjects working in the petroleum refinery have significantly impaired lung functions. However, there was no change in the values of FENO between the groups. The lung function impairment pattern provide evidence in the favor of an obstructive lung disease.