Assessment of Peak Expiratory Flow Rate in Spice Mill Workers - A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Numerous industries have researched the effects of occupational dust and particles on respiratory function. The continuous exposure to dispersed particles causes respiratory ailments in spice mill workers. Spice dust exposure is linked to a systemic inflammatory response, including respiratory irritation. Spice dust is finely divided solid particles and a form of respirable dust this is the leading cause of occupational disease. Allergies and asthma have been linked to spice mill workers. Objective: To study the effect of spice dust exposure on expiratory function and to compare the peak expiratory flow rate of spice mill workers and normal adults across age groups and gender Method: 186 subjects in Mumbai region, 93 spice mill workers and 93 normal adults were selected as per inclusion and exclusion criteria. PEFR was measured in all the participants using a mini Wright peak flow meter. Result: The statistical analysis showed that there is a significant difference in the peak expiratory flow rates of spice mill workers. However, intergroup analysis between age groups showed that there was not much difference in the PEFR values for the age group 40-50 when compared with normal. The reason could be less number of participants available for the study. Also, the gender-wise comparison showed statistically significant difference in male and female PEFR values. Conclusion: The present study concluded that peak expiratory flow rate was significantly reduced in spice mill workers when compared to normal adults of same age. Key words: PEFR, spice mill workers, spice dust, allergies.

Satiety Profiles in Obese and Normal Adults After High-Carbohydrate Diet Ingestion

Background : Obesity is one of the nutritional problems with an increase in prevalence every year. To avoid obesity, the selection of foods with the right nutrients is needed. The choice of foods with the right nutrients can affect the span of satiety. Carbohydrate is one of the macronutrients consumed in large quantities every day. Carbohydrate is important components that play a role in insulin secretion and postprandial blood glucose. Objective : To determine the differences of satiety profiles in obese and normal adults after high-carbohydrate diet ingestion. Methods : The study design was experimental with a pre-post group. The research subjects were 17 peoples about 20-23 years old were given two isoenergetic high carbohydrate meal tests. Satiety was measured using a Visual Analogue Score (VAS) questionnaire. Nutritional status is determined by BMI indicators. Data were analyzed using independent sample t-test and paired t-test. Results : The average of fullness in obese subjects (207.81±63.03), higher than normal subjects (141.97±37.65). The average of hunger, prospective food consumption (PFC), and desire to eat in obese subjects were 46.31±28.48; 40.08±20.83; 37.39±26.86 and the normal subjects were 54.80±15.92; 49.09±14.17; 46.20±16.56 respectively. The effect of satiety profile in obese subjects stopped at 150 minutes, faster than the normal subject’s which still exist until 180 minutes after ingestion. Conclusion : There is a significant difference of satiety profiles in obese and normal adults. Normal subjects have satiety effects longer than obese subjects after high-carbohydrate diet ingestion. Keywords : Carbohydrate; Glycemic Index; Satiety; Nutritional status.

Analysis of the Specificity, Sensitivity and Accuracy of Goniometry Method Compared to Tape Method for Measuring Trunk Mobility in Normal Adults

Measurement of lumbar range of motion (LROM) is a routine method in the examination of patients with low back pain. There is no standard technique which may be used to accurately describe the range of motion in the different plane. So in present study, an attempt has been made to compare goniometric measurement with tape measurement for its sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for measuring spine mobility in normal adults. In this cross sectional study, 137 healthy adults between the ages of 18-26 years of age were included consecutively and assessed using Tape method and goniometry for trunk mobility in all planes (sagittal, frontal and transverse). The association of goniometry with tape method was assessed using chi square test. The study showed that the difference between goniometry and tape method was statistically significant (p value <0.05) for all movements except flexion (p value 0.215). Also the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of goniometry is not as good as tape method except for flexion compared to tape method. So, from this study we can conclude that Goniometry was not as good as tape method for all movements except forward flexion where both can be equally used.