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Exposures to dust, vapors, or fumes (DVF) are associated with chronic bronchitis (CB) and emphysema. The 2007–2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data were used to estimate age-standardized prevalence of CB and emphysema among ever-employed adults by exposure status and industry and occupation groups. Age-standardized CB and emphysema prevalence were 2.3% and 1.9%, respectively. Of the estimated 111 million U.S. workers exposed to DVF, 2.7% reported CB and 2.8% reported emphysema. Workers in the "accommodation, food services" industry and "food preparation, serving related" occupations were more likely to report CB and emphysema. Current findings indicate that workplace exposures may be associated with high prevalence of CB and emphysema in certain industry and occupational groups. Early diagnosis and identifying associated workplace exposures are important steps in CB and emphysema prevention efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study examined the association of spirometry‐defined airflow obstruction and self‐reported COPD defined as self‐reported doctor diagnosed chronic bronchitis or emphysema, with occupational exposure among ever‐employed US adults. Methods: Data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007‐2008 to 2011‐2012, a nationally representative study of the non‐institutionalized civilian US population. Reported current and/or longest held job were used to create prevalence estimates and prevalence odds ratios (PORs) (adjusted for age, gender, race, and smoking status) for airflow obstruction and self‐reported COPD by occupational exposure, determined using both NHANES participants' self‐reported exposures and eight categories of COPD job exposure matrix (JEM) assigned exposures. Results: Significant PORs for airflow obstruction and self‐reported COPD respectively were observed with self‐reported exposure for ≥20 years to mineral dust (POR = 1.44; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13‐1.85; POR = 1.69; 95% CI 1.17‐2.43) and exhaust fumes (POR = 1.65; 95% CI 1.27‐2.15; POR = 2.22; 95% CI 1.37‐3.58). Airflow obstruction or self‐reported COPD were also associated with COPD‐JEM assigned high exposure to mineral dust, combined dust, diesel exhaust, vapor‐gas, sensitizers, and overall exposure. Conclusion: Airflow obstruction and self‐reported COPD are associated with both self‐reported and JEM‐assigned exposures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study estimated the prevalence of spirometry‐defined airflow obstruction by industry and occupation and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among ever‐employed U.S. adults. Methods: Data came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007‐2008 to 2011‐2012, a nationally representative study of the non‐institutionalized civilian U.S. population. Data on respondent's current and/or longest held job were used to create prevalence estimates and adjusted prevalence odds ratios (PORs) for airflow obstruction and COPD. Results: Among ever‐employed U.S. adults, airflow obstruction prevalence was 12.40% and COPD was 3.47%. High airflow obstruction prevalence and significant PORs were reported in mining; manufacturing; construction; and services to buildings industries as well as extraction; bookbinders, prepress, and printing; installers and repairers; and construction occupations. Conclusion: Prevalence of airflow obstruction varies by industry and occupation. Industries and occupations with increased risk were identified using the most current NHANES data including detailed occupations and spirometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data for the U.S adult population from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used to evaluate risk factors for a restrictive pattern on spirometry and estimate the change in its prevalence from the 1988-1994 to 2007-2010 sampling periods. Several previous epidemiologic studies used the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease fixed forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) > 0.70 criteria for classifying restrictive pattern rather than the age-defined American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) lower limit of normal (LLN) criteria, which may lead to misclassification. Methods: Spirometry measurements from NHANES data for the 1988-1994 and 2007-2010 periods were analyzed to estimate the age-standardized prevalence of a restrictive pattern on spirometry and the change in prevalence over time for adults aged 20-79. A restrictive pattern was defined based on ATS/ERS LLN criteria as FEV1/FVC > LLN and FVC < LLN, and a moderate to more severe restrictive pattern was further evaluated using FEV1 < 70% predicted. The associations between demographic and other individual risk factors for restrictive lung impairment were examined using multivariable logistic regression models for the two consecutive time periods. Results: The overall age-standardized prevalence of restrictive pattern decreased significantly from 7.2% (1988-1994) to 5.4% (2007-2010) (p = 0.0013). The prevalence of moderate to more severe restrictive pattern also decreased significantly from 2.0% to 1.4% (p = 0.023). Factors positively associated with restrictive pattern on spirometry included age, female sex, white race, lower education, former and current smoking, and comorbidities including doctor-diagnosed cardiovascular disease, doctor-diagnosed diabetes, and abdominal obesity. Conclusions: The overall prevalence of restrictive pattern and moderate to more severe restrictive pattern decreased between the 1988-1994 and 2007-2010 survey periods despite a population increase in the proportion of comorbidities associated with restrictive pattern (i.e. diabetes and abdominal obesity). This suggests a decline in individual risk factors for restrictive pattern and a need for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]