Work‐related respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function tests in northeast iranian (the city of Mashhad) carpenters

OBJECTIVE: To assess the respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function of carpenters from the city of Mashhad (northeast Iran). METHODS: The frequency of respiratory symptoms was retrospectively estimated in a sample of 66 carpenters in the city of Mashhad in northeast Iran using a questionnaire including questions on work-related respiratory symptoms in the past year, allergy, type of irritant chemicals that induce respiratory symptoms, smoking habits, and working periods as a carpenter. PFT values were also measured in all participants, and the age and smoking habits matched those of a sample of men from the general population as a control group. RESULTS: Thirty-five carpenters (53%) reported work-related respiratory symptoms. Cough (34.4%) and sputum (33.3%) were the most common symptoms, and only 15.15% of carpenters reported wheezing during work. All respiratory symptoms were higher in carpenters than in controls, which was statistically significant for cough and sputum (p<0.001 in both cases). Most allergic symptoms were also significantly greater among the carpenters than in the control group (p<0.05 for both itchy eyes and sneezing). Most respiratory and allergic symptoms in the carpenters increased during work compared to rest period which was statistically significant only for cough (p<0.05). PFT values were significantly lower in the carpenters than in control subjects (p<0.05 to p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Carpentry work was associated with a high frequency of respiratory symptoms, particularly after exposure to irritating chemicals during work. PFT values were also significantly reduced among carpenters compared to controls

Prevalence of water pipe smoking in the city of Mashhad (North East of Iran) and its effect on respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function tests

Background: The prevalence of water pipe (WP) smoking was studied using a standard questionnaire. Pulmonary function tests were also compared between WP smokers and non-smokers. Materials and Methods: The prevalence of WP smoking was studied using a standard questionnaire. Pulmonary function tests including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal expiratory flow at 75%, 50%, and 25% of the FVC (MEF75,50,25) were compared between WP smokers and non-smokers. Results: A total of 673 individuals including 372 males and 301 females were interviewed. The number of WP smokers was 58 (8.6%) including 24 males (6.5%) and 34 females (11.3%). All pulmonary functional test (PFT) values in WP smokers were lower as compared to the non-smokers (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). The prevalence and severity of respiratory symptoms (RS) in WP smokers were higher than non-smokers (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). There were negative correlations between PFT values and positive correlation between RS and duration, rate, as well as total smoking (duration X rate) (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Conclusion: In this study the prevalence of WP smoking in Mashhad city was evaluated for the first time. The results also showed a significant effect of WP smoking on PFT values and respiratory symptoms

Effect of Fluticasone and Salmeterol on Tracheal Responsiveness to Ovalbumin and Lung Inflammation, Administrated during and after Sensitization

The effect of duration of administration of fluticasone propionate and salmeterol on tracheal responsiveness to ovalbumin and total and differential white blood cell in sensitized guinea pig was examined. Six groups of guinea pigs (n=7) were sensitized to ovalbumin. Three groups of them were subjected to inhaled fluticasone propionate and salmeterol, one group during sensitization (A), one group after that (for 18 days, B), and the other one during sensitization but with 18 days delay before measurements (C). Three other groups were treated with placebo in the same manner. The tracheal responsiveness to ovalbumin and total and differential white blood cells of three placebo groups were significantly higher than those of control group (P<0.001 for all cases). Tracheal responsiveness to ovalbumin and total and differential white blood cell in treated groups with fluticasone propionate and salmeterol were significantly decreased compared to those of placebo groups (nonsignificant to P<0.001). The improvement in all variables in treatment groups A and C were more pronounced than group B. The results showed that fluticasone propionate and salmeterol had a prevention effect on tracheal hyperresponsiveness to ovalbumin and lung inflammation which was more pronounced when administered during than after sensitization

The Differences in the Relaxant Effects of Different Fractions of Rosa damascena on Guinea Pig Tracheal Smooth Muscle

Objective(s)In the present study, the differences in the relaxant effects of aqueous, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of Rosa damascena on tracheal smooth muscle of guinea pigs were examined. Materials and MethodsThe relaxant effects of three cumulative concentrations of each fraction (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 g%) in comparison with saline and three cumulative concentrations of theophylline (0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 mM) were examined on precontracted tracheal chains of guinea pig by 60 mM KCl (group 1, n= 5) and 10 µM methacholine (group 2, n= 8). ResultsIn group 1, all concentrations of theophylline, ethyl acetate fraction and two final concentrations of n-butanol fraction showed significant relaxant effects in comparison with saline (p< 0.05 to P< 0.001). In group 2, all concentrations of theophylline, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions showed concentration dependent relaxant effects compared to that of saline (p< 0.01 to P< 0.001). In addition, the effect of ethyl acetate fraction in group 1 was significantly higher than those of theophylline (p< 0.05 to p< 0.001). However, the effects of other fractions were significantly lower than theophylline in both groups (p< 0.01 to p< 0.001). There were significant correlations between the relaxant effects and concentrations for theophylline and all fractions (except aqueous fractions in group 1) in both groups. ConclusionThe results showed a potent relaxant effect for ethyl acetate fraction of R. damascena on tracheal smooth muscle comparable to that of theophylline but a relatively weak relaxant effect for aqueous and n-butanol fractions at concentrations used