Respiratory symptoms in Danish farmers: an epidemiological study of risk factors.

An epidemiological study was performed with a self administered questionnaire in a representative sample of 1685 Danish farmers. The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence of self reported asthma, wheezing during work, and symptoms of chronic bronchitis and to evaluate possible risk factors for the development of these symptoms. A response rate of 73.3% was obtained. The prevalence of asthma was 7.7% and of chronic bronchitis 23.6% in responders. The prevalence of asthma and chronic bronchitis increased from 3.6% and 17.9% in 31-50 year old farmers to 11.8% and 33.0% in 51-70 year old farmers, and from 5.5% and 17.5% in dairy farmers to 10.9% and 32.0% in pig farmers. A logistic regression analysis with correction for age and smoking habits confirmed that pig farming was a risk factor for asthma (odds ratio 2.03), chronic bronchitis (odds ratio 1.53), and wheezing during work (odds ratio 3.33).

[1]  M. Chan-yeung,et al.  Grain-dust extract induced direct release of mediators from human lung tissue. , 1987, The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology.

[2]  M. Church,et al.  Non‐IgE‐dependent bacteria‐induced histamine release from human lung and tonsillar mast cells , 1987, Clinical allergy.

[3]  E. Weeke,et al.  Epidemiology of asthma in Denmark. , 1987, Chest.

[4]  J. Samet.  Epidemiologic approaches for the identification of asthma. , 1987, Chest.

[5]  J. Dosman,et al.  Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function in farmers. , 1987, Journal of occupational medicine. : official publication of the Industrial Medical Association.

[6]  J. Kaprio,et al.  Role of environment in the development of chronic bronchitis. , 1987, European journal of respiratory diseases. Supplement.

[7]  S. Höglund,et al.  Storage mite allergy is common in a farming population , 1985, Clinical allergy.

[8]  K. Donham,et al.  Respiratory symptoms and lung function among workers in swine confinement buildings: a cross-sectional epidemiological study. , 1984, Archives of environmental health.

[9]  M. Topping,et al.  Barn allergy among Scottish farmers , 1984, Clinical allergy.

[10]  G. Mastrangelo,et al.  Prevalence and risk factors of chronic respiratory disease in a farming population. , 1984, La Medicina del lavoro.

[11]  K J Donham,et al.  Acute effects of the work environment on pulmonary functions of swine confinement workers. , 1984, American journal of industrial medicine.

[12]  C. Reed,et al.  IgE and IgG-immune mechanisms do not mediate occupation-related respiratory or systemic symptoms in hog farmers. , 1983, The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology.

[13]  F. Speizer,et al.  The relevance in adults of air-flow obstruction, but not of mucus hypersecretion, to mortality from chronic lung disease. Results from 20 years of prospective observation. , 1983, The American review of respiratory disease.

[14]  R Rylander,et al.  Airborne bacteria, endotoxin and fungi in dust in poultry and swine confinement buildings. , 1983, American Industrial Hygiene Association journal.

[15]  O. Cromwell,et al.  Occupational asthma caused by allergy to pigs' urine. , 1982, British medical journal.

[16]  C. Nilsson.  Dust investigations in pig houses , 1982 .

[17]  T. Ojanen,et al.  Sensitisation against environmental antigens and respiratory symptoms in swine workers. , 1981, British journal of industrial medicine.

[18]  C. Warren.  Respiratory disorders in Manitoba cattle farmers. , 1981, Canadian Medical Association journal.

[19]  N. Breslow,et al.  Statistical methods in cancer research. Vol. 1. The analysis of case-control studies. , 1981 .

[20]  J. Manfreda,et al.  Respiratory symptoms in Manitoba farmers: association with grain and hay handling. , 1980, Canadian Medical Association journal.

[21]  N. Breslow,et al.  The analysis of case-control studies , 1980 .

[22]  J. Nuutinen,et al.  Chronic respiratory disease in rural women. An epidemiological survey at Hankasalmi, Finland. , 1978, Annals of clinical research.

[23]  K J Donham,et al.  Potential health hazards to agricultural workers in swine confinement buildings. , 1977, Journal of occupational medicine. : official publication of the Industrial Medical Association.

[24]  W. Batel.  Messungen zur Staub-, Lärm- und Geruchsbelastung an Arbeitsplätzen in der landwirtschaftlichen Produktion und Wege zur Entlastung - Erster Bericht , 2014 .

[25]  A. H. Jensen,et al.  Relative and qualitative aspects of aerial bacteria and dust in swine houses. , 1975, Journal of animal science.

[26]  N. Nie,et al.  Statistical Package for the Social Sciences , 1970 .

[27]  W. Haenszel,et al.  Statistical aspects of the analysis of data from retrospective studies of disease. , 1959, Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

[28]  I. Higgins.  Respiratory Symptoms, Bronchitis, and Ventilatory Capacity in Random Sample of an Agricultural Population , 1957, British medical journal.