Several studies have suggested that chronic bronchitis is
more common in farmers than non-farmers and that it is
a work-related disease.1 We did not find this in the present
study, which would suggest that the positive change in the
work environment of Icelandic farmers has taken place over
an extended period given the time needed to develop chronic
bronchitis.
The finding of self-reported fever and systemic
symptoms at work was more common in farmers than in the
non-farmer group. This is not surprising as these symptoms
suggest either organic dust toxic syndrome or hypersensitivity
pneumonitis, both of which would be expected to be
more common in the farming population.1,9 Symptoms of
rhinitis were significantly less common among farmers than
non-farmers in the current study. This is similar to other
studies.3