Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Never-Smoking
Dairy Farmers
Abstract: Introduction: Work-related chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represents a considerable part of the
disease burden globally.
Objective: To assess the COPD prevalence and characteristics in never-smoking dairy farmers.
Materials and Methodology: We have conducted a cross-sectional study with 75 male dairy farmers aged 26 to 59 years,
and compared them with equivalent number of male office workers similar by age, and duration of employment. Data on
chronic respiratory symptoms, job history and daily activities were obtained by questionnaire. Lung functional testing of
the examined subjects included baseline spirometry, and bronchodilator reversibility measurement.
Results: Dairy farmers showed higher prevalence of overall respiratory symptoms, but significant difference was noticed
for cough, phlegm, and dyspnea. Dairy farmers had more prevalent work-related respiratory symptoms, being significant
for overall symptoms, cough, and phlegm. The mean baseline values of spirometric parameters were lower in dairy
farmers, but significance was reported for FEV1/FVC%, MEF50, MEF75, and MEF25-75. Dairy farmers had significantly
higher COPD prevalence than office controls (10.7% vs 2.7%, P = 0,049). Dairy farmers and office controls showed
significant association between COPD and age over 45 years. Dairy farmers had a significant association between COPD
and employment duration of over 20 years (P = 0.023), but also between COPD and work-related chronic respiratory
symptoms (P = 0.041).
Conclusion: The study findings favor the cause-effect association between job exposure to respiratory hazards, and
development of persistent airway obstruction among dairy farmers.