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. 2016 Jul 19:11:1615-22.
doi: 10.2147/COPD.S109056. eCollection 2016.

Effects of biomass smoke on pulmonary functions: a case control study

Baran Balcan  1 , Selcuk Akan  2 , Aylin Ozsancak Ugurlu  1 , Bahar Ozcelik Handemir  3 , Berrin Bagcı Ceyhan  4 , Sevket Ozkaya  5
Affiliations

Effects of biomass smoke on pulmonary functions: a case control study

Baran Balcan et al. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Biomass smoke is the leading cause of COPD in developing countries such as Turkey. In rural areas of Turkey, females are more exposed to biomass smoke because of traditional lifestyles.

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the adverse effects of biomass smoke on pulmonary functions and define the relationship between duration in years and an index (cumulative exposure index) with altered pulmonary function test results.

Participants and methods: A total of 115 females who lived in the village of Kağizman (a borough of Kars located in the eastern part of Turkey) and were exposed to biomass smoke were included in the study. The control group was generated with 73 individuals living in the same area who were never exposed to biomass smoke.

Results: Twenty-seven (23.8%) females in the study group and four (5.5%) in the control group had small airway disease (P=0.038). Twenty-two (19.1%) females in the study group and ten (13.7%) in the control group had obstruction (P=0.223). Twenty (17.3%) females in the study group who were exposed to biomass smoke had restriction compared with ten (13%) in the control group (P=0.189). The duration needed for the existence of small airway disease was 16 years, for obstructive airway disease was 17 years, and for restrictive airway disease was 17 years. The intensity of biomass smoke was defined in terms of cumulative exposure index; it was calculated by multiplying hours per day, weeks per month, and total years of smoke exposure and dividing the result by three.

Conclusion: Exposure to biomass smoke is a serious public health problem, especially in rural areas of developing countries, because of its negative effects on pulmonary functions. As the duration and the intensity of exposure increase, the probability of having altered pulmonary function test results is higher.

Keywords: biomass; duration; exposure; intensity; pulmonary function.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
People are exposed to heavy smoke due to the cooking conditions (lack of chimney and poor ventilation).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Dry animal dung (manure), rather than wood or charcoal, is used as the fuel source.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The difference of FEF 25–75 (A), FEV1/FVC (B), FEV1 (C), and FVC (D) results between the study group and control group. Abbreviations: FEF 25–75, forced expiratory flow during the 25%–75% portion of the FVC; FEV1, forced expiratory volume in 1 second; FVC, forced vital capacity.
Figure 4
Figure 4
ROC curves of duration with small, obstructive, and restrictive airway diseases. Notes: (A) ROC curve analysis for small airway disease (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 76.9%). (B) ROC curve analysis for obstructive lung disease (sensitivity, 95.5%; specificity, 69.9%). (C) ROC curve analysis for restrictive lung disease (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 74.3%). Abbreviation: ROC, receiver operating characteristic.
Figure 5
Figure 5
The difference of median values of CEI among all biomass exposed women based on PFT results. Notes: The difference of CEI among all biomass exposed women with and without (A) small airway disease; (B) obstruction; and (C) restriction. Circles and stars indicate the cases out of 95% CI. Abbreviation: CEI, cumulative exposure index.
Figure 6
Figure 6
ROC curve analysis of CEI for small airway disease and obstructive and restrictive pulmonary diseases. Abbreviations: ROC, receiver operating characteristic; CEI, cumulative exposure index.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Is exposure to biomass smoke really associated with COPD?
    Das V, Nitin V, Salvi S, Kodgule R. Das V, et al. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2017 Feb 17;12:651-653. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S127466. eCollection 2017. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2017. PMID: 28255236 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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