A Cross Sectional Study of Respiratory and Allergy Status in Dairy Workers.
J Agromedicine
; 28(3): 545-552, 2023 07.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36704933
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Workers on dairy farms face exposures to organic dusts and endotoxin. At the same time, a number of studies of farmers have reported a lower prevalence of asthma in farmworkers compared to persons without farm contact. The "hygiene hypothesis" suggests that early life exposures on farms could be protective against allergic disease and asthma. Such protective relationships are less well studied in adult farm workers.METHODS:
A cross-sectional analysis of respiratory function and allergy status was performed in a sample of dairy farm workers (n = 42) and community controls (n = 40). Measures of respiratory status (spirometry, exhaled nitric oxide FeNO, self-reported symptoms) and levels of total and bovine-specific IgE were compared between the groups.RESULTS:
Prevalence of self-reported asthma and most respiratory symptoms was similar in the two groups, with the exception of increased report of dyspnea among dairy workers. In the dairy workers, level of lung function was not reduced and FeNO was not increased. In unadjusted and adjusted models, dairy work was not associated with reduced lung function or increased airway inflammation. Mean IgE levels did not differ significantly between workers and controls, but elevated bovine-specific IgE was detected only among dairy workers, with an apparent association between elevated bovine IgE and increased FeNO.CONCLUSION:
While dairy workers did not demonstrate increased asthma prevalence compared to controls, sensitization to bovine antigen in several workers appeared to be associated with airway inflammation. Occupational health programs for dairy workers should consider the risk of animal allergy as part of respiratory health protection efforts.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Asma
/
Exposição Ocupacional
/
Hipersensibilidade
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Agromedicine
Assunto da revista:
MEDICINA OCUPACIONAL
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos