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. 2025 Dec 1;67(12):1027-1031.
doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003487. Epub 2025 Jul 18.

Evaluation of Small Airway Effect in Cleaning Workers With Impulse Oscillometry

Betül Gültekin  1 , Nejdiye Güngördü, Ilgım Vardaloğlu Koyuncu, Kevser Sak, Enes Furkan Aykaç, Buket Çalışkaner Öztürk, Nihal Enşen, Şermin Börekçi, Bilun Gemicioğlu
Affiliations

Evaluation of Small Airway Effect in Cleaning Workers With Impulse Oscillometry

Betül Gültekin et al. J Occup Environ Med. .

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to detect small airway pathologies in cleaning workers at an early stage by impulse oscillometry (IOS).

Methods: The study was cross-sectional and involved 121 cleaning workers and 123 controls between September 2022 and January 2023.

Results: Airway disease-related measurements (R5%, R20%, R5-20%, AX, Fres) determined by IOS were statistically significantly higher in cleaning workers. The mean and median values of forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity (%), peak expiratory flow (%), maximal mid-expiratory flow (%), forced expiratory flow at 25% of forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory flow at 75% of forced vital capacity were significantly lower in cleaning workers compared to the control group ( P < 0.05). Using General Linear Models adjusted for work duration, sex, age, body mass index, and smoking, occupational differences in lung function and IOS were not significant, showing these factors explain the effects.

Conclusions: IOS can be used for the early detection of airway diseases.

Keywords: cleaning workers; impulse oscillometry; pulmonary function test parameters.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: None declared.

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