Frequency of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Sugarcane Mills Worker

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of COPD among workers of sugar mills in Pakistan.

Study Design: Observational/ cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Avicenna Medical and Dental College Lahore from March to August, 2020.

Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty workers of any age were enrolled in this study. Detailed demographics including age, sex, residence, socio-economic status, education, smoking status and family history of respiratory diseases were recorded after taking informed written consent. COPD was diagnosed by spirometry using the GOLD criteria. Data was analyzed by SPSS 27.0.

Results: There were 100 (83.33%) males and 20 (16.67%) were females. Mean age of workers was 42.24±15.36 years. COPD was found in 32 (26.67%) workers. Smokers, low socio-economic status, rural residency, family history of respiratory disease and male gender were the significant risk factors associated with COPD with p-value <0.05.

Conclusion: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was highly prevalent in workers of sugarcane mills.