Epidemiological studies of the relationship between occupational exposures and chronic non-specific lung disease
1990
Heederik, D.J.J.
In this thesis the relationship between occupational exposures, lung function and Chronic Non-Specific Lung Disease is studied. The study comprises an epidemiological analysis of data from the British Pneumoconiosis Field Research among coal miners and an analysis of data gathered in the Zutphen Study, a Dutch general population study.These findings point to a few general conclusions. Occupation and occupational exposures are clearly related to respiratory symptoms and reductions in lung function. The relationship between smoking and CNSLD incidence appeared to be a stronger one than the relationship between occupation, occupational exposures and CNSLD incidence. However, considerable odds ratios and relative risks were found for specific exposures and some occupations. The etiological fraction for occupational exposures with CNSLD incidence is estimated to be 10-30% for the Zutphen Study. Relationships found argue for new studies among recently exposed populations. No evidence for a relationship between occupational exposures and total mortality was found. The relationship with CNSLD mortality after allowing for smoking habits and age is less clear. Studies with more detailed exposure information and larger statistical power are 'needed to elucidate the relationship between occupation and CNSLD mortality.
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