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. 2024 Oct 7;16(10):e71045.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.71045. eCollection 2024 Oct.

Larger Airway Functions in Poultry and Dairy Confinement Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Mohanarajan Pavithran  1 , Prabhavathi K  1 , Kalyani Praba P  1 , Gisha Sivan  2 , Rachula Daniel  3 , Kanimozhi Sadasivam  1 , Thamarai Selvi K  1 , Saravanan A  1
Affiliations

Larger Airway Functions in Poultry and Dairy Confinement Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Mohanarajan Pavithran et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Background: The peak expiratory flow (PEF) test is a crucial tool for assessing larger airway functions, particularly in individuals exposed to occupational hazards. This study aims to compare PEF values between animal workers (poultry and dairy farm workers) who are regularly exposed to animal allergens and other respiratory irritants and normal workers who do not have such exposures.

Methods: A cohort of animal workers from poultry and dairy farms were evaluated alongside a control group of normal workers without known respiratory hazards. PEF measurements were taken using a computerized spirometer, and results were analyzed to determine differences in respiratory function between the two groups.

Results: There was a significant difference in PEF values, with animal workers exhibiting lower PEF compared to their control group. Further, poultry farm workers had a significant decrease in PEF when compared to dairy farm workers. This study represents a pioneering effort in the comparative analysis of respiratory health among workers in poultry and dairy farms.

Conclusions: The findings indicate that occupational exposure to allergens and irritants associated with animal environments may have deleterious effects on respiratory health. Further analysis, controlling for confounding variables such as smoking status, age, and baseline health conditions, reinforces the initial observation of compromised respiratory function in animal workers. This study underscores the importance of regular respiratory health monitoring and implementation of protective measures for individuals in occupations with high exposure to respiratory irritants. Enhanced awareness and preventive strategies could mitigate the long-term health impacts on animal workers, ensuring safer working environments and improved overall health outcomes.

Keywords: animal workers; dairy workers; large airway function; peak expiratory flow; poultry workers.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre Institutional Ethical Committee issued approval SRMIEC-ST0324-1040. Animal subjects: All authors have confirmed that this study did not involve animal subjects or tissue. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Computerized spirometer used to analyze pulmonary function test
Figure 2
Figure 2. Comparison of PEF (L/s) mean levels between groups
PEF: peak expiratory flow
Figure 3
Figure 3. Comparison of PEF (L/s) mean levels between groups
PEF: peak expiratory flow
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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