Association of exposure to biomass smoke with reduced pulmonary functions in rural school children- A cross-sectional study findings.

Author(s):  
Vitthal Khode ◽  
Mahesh Maralihalli ◽  
Goutam Kabbin ◽  
Satish Patil ◽  
Komal Ruikar ◽  
...  

Background: Children are at higher risk to develop respiratory diseases when they are exposed to biomass smoke. Very few studies have compared the duration of exposure to pulmonary function tests in children. The purpose of the study was to observe the effect of biomass fuel smoke on respiratory symptoms, lung functions in 30 school going children of aged between 7 to 14 years and to compare these parameters with 30 age and sex matched healthy children of same school. And correlate duration of exposure to pulmonary function tests. Methods: This prospective study cross-sectional study was carried out over six months (August 2018 to January 2019). The selection of study population was carried out from one of the Government primary school. 80 students participated in the study. Whole study population was divided in to two groups. Group-1 consisted 40 school children those exposed to biomass smoke aged between 7 to 14 years as cases. Group-2 consisted same number of sex and age matched controls, those had no exposure to biomass smoke. After relevant history, questionnaire and respiratory examinations, children were subjected to spirometry. Schiller’s Spirovit-SP1 was used. Results: The prevalence of some of the respiratory symptoms in biomass smokers were significant compared to non-smokers. There was significant 1.125 fold reduction in FVC (p=0.003*) and 1.195 fold reduction in FEV1 (p=0.000*) in smokers compared to non-smokers. A significant correlation existed between duration of exposure to FVC (r=-0.508 p=0.001) and FEV1 (r=-0.462 p=0.005). Conclusions: We concluded that biomass smoking significantly alters FVC and FEV1 in children and these parameters are negatively correlated with numbers of hours of exposure.

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-172
Author(s):  
Mohammed Abdulrazzaq Jabbar Jabbar ◽  
Retneswari Masilamani ◽  
Lim Zhi Yik ◽  
Chen Pei Fei ◽  
Loh Xin Ni ◽  
...  

The cooking process may emit toxic compounds and airway irritants from both the fuel combustion and cooking fumes which is harmful to the respiratory health among the restaurant workers. A cross-sectional study of 243 restaurant workers from the selected restaurants in Sungai Long, Malaysia was conducted. The standardized British Medical Research Council questionnaire on Respiratory Symptoms (1986) was used during the interview to access the symptoms and the spirometry test was performed to evaluate the pulmonary functions of the participants. The data of socio-demography and occupational characteristics were also collected. The most complaint respiratory symptoms by the restaurant workers were breathlessness, which accounted for 33.7%, followed by wheezing (14%). The mean values of all pulmonary function tests (PFT) of the restaurant workers were within the normal range (>80%), except for the Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) (79.09%). The results of the bivariate statistical analysis, Chi-square, ANOVA and t-test, showed the determining factors of the respiratory health among the workers were workers’ age and gender in addition to the working duration and the ethnicity. The restaurant workers in Sungai Long were at risk of developing respiratory symptoms and lower pulmonary function values due to prolonged exposure to cooking fumes. Emphasis should be given to the safety and health of restaurant workers and health education should be provided to the restaurant workers and owners. Strategies to increase notification of such occurrences among these workers should be looked into by related agencies in the country.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mekuriaw Mesfin Birhan ◽  
Yekoye Abebe

Background. Hypertension imposes stresses on many organs like heart and kidney. However, studies that show the effect of hypertension on the lungs are limited. Objective. To assess pulmonary function status of hypertensive patients aged 30-64 years at Zewditu Memorial Hospital, 2017. Methods. Hospital based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted on 61 hypertensive patients (cases) and 61 nonhypertensive clients (controls) aged 30-64 years. Computerized spirometry was done in all cases and controls which were selected by systematic sampling technique. The study was conducted from January 20, 2017, to May 25, 2017. Result. The values of FVC, FEV1, and FEF25-75% were 3.52±1.02 liters, 2.97±0.89 liters, and 3.34±1.3 liters/second in hypertensive patients and 4.31±0.82 liters, 3.54±0.7 liters, and 3.94±1.09 liters/second in controls, respectively. These values were significantly lower (p<0.05) in hypertensive patients compared to controls. Restrictive pulmonary defect was dominant in hypertensive patients. FEV1% which was 85%±7% in hypertensive patients and 82%±5% in controls was significantly higher (p<0.05) in hypertensive patients compared to controls. Conclusion. Hypertensive patients exhibit lower pulmonary function values. Routine check-up of the pulmonary function status of such patients should be done to prevent undesired outcomes.


Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 10.1212/WNL.0000000000011458
Author(s):  
Kimberly Amburgey ◽  
Meryl Acker ◽  
Samia Saeed ◽  
Reshma Amin ◽  
Alan H. Beggs ◽  
...  

Objective:Nemaline myopathy (NM) is a rare neuromuscular condition with clinical and genetic heterogeneity. To establish disease natural history, we performed a cross-sectional study of NM, complemented by longitudinal assessment and exploration of pilot outcome measures.Methods:Fifty-seven individuals with NM were recruited at two family workshops, including 16 examined at both time points. Subjects were evaluated by clinical history and physical examination. Functional outcome measures included the Motor Function Measure (MFM), pulmonary function tests (PFTs), myometry, goniometry, and bulbar assessments.Results:The most common clinical classification was “typical congenital” (54%), whereas 42% had more severe presentations. 58% of individuals needed mechanical support, with 26% requiring wheelchair, tracheostomy, and feeding tube. The MFM scale was performed in 44/57 participants and showed reduced scores in most with little floor/ceiling effect. Of the 27 individuals completing PFTs, abnormal values were observed in 65%. Lastly, bulbar function was abnormal in all patients examined, as determined using a novel outcome measure. Genotypes included mutations in ACTA1 (18), NEB (20), and TPM2 (2). Seventeen individuals were genetically unresolved. Patients with pathogenic ACTA1 and NEB variants were largely similar in clinical phenotype. Patients without genetic resolution had more severe disease.Conclusion:In all, we present a comprehensive cross-sectional study of NM. Our data identify significant disabilities and support a relatively stable disease course. We identify a need for further diagnostic investigation for the genetically unresolved group. Lastly, MFM, pulmonary function tests, and the slurp test were identified as promising outcome measures for future clinical trials.


CHEST Journal ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 154 (4) ◽  
pp. 791A
Author(s):  
AHMED ALJOHANEY ◽  
SHAHAD DAALI ◽  
HANOUF AL-JUAID ◽  
MAYSAA AGEEL ◽  
SAMAHER SUKKAR ◽  
...  

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