Spirometric and hygienic criteria in recognition of occupational COPD in Poland – A retrospective analysis of medical records
Objectives Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be work-related. It has been estimated that 15% of the population burden of COPD is attributable to occupational exposure. However, in Poland COPD is rarely recognized as an occupational disease. The aim of the study has been to analyze the...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine
2018-11-01
|
| Series: | International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.journalssystem.com/ijomeh/Spirometric-and-hygienic-criteria-in-recognition-of-occupational-COPD-in-Poland-a-retrospective-analysis-of-medical-records,67524,0,2.html |
| Summary: | Objectives
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may be work-related. It has been estimated that 15% of the
population burden of COPD is attributable to occupational exposure. However, in Poland COPD is rarely recognized as an
occupational disease. The aim of the study has been to analyze the causes of the low prevalence of work-related COPD in
the context of the existing criteria as well as to analyze which part of the assessment – clinical or hygienic one – is responsible
for such a low rate of occupational COPD recognitions.
Material and Methods
The study group included 150 patients
hospitalized with a suspicion of occupational COPD. Each patient underwent a clinical examination, spirometry and reversibility
test using bronchodilator. Moreover, hygienic evaluation of work conditions was performed in all the considered
cases.
Results
In the case of the patients who fulfilled the criteria for COPD diagnosis in accordance with the Global Initiative
for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) occupational origins of the disease, the disease was not recognized
because 24.1% of the individuals did not meet spirometric criteria included in a definition of COPD in the Polish list of
occupational diseases, while 27.8% of the individuals did not fulfill the criterion of a documented exposure to dusts and
irritant gases. None of these criteria was fulfilled by 42.6% of the patients.
Conclusions
In our country, both clinical and
hygienic criteria result in limitations in recognition of occupational COPD. There is the need to establish new guidelines for
the recognition of COPD as a compensable disease in Poland. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(2):139–150 |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1232-1087 1896-494X |