Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Occupational Exposures: Epidemiological Evidence from R. Macedonia

Introduction: The research found consistent associations between workplace exposures across a wide range of sectors and the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) independently of or in concert with cigarette smoking. Objective: To present the epidemiological evidence for COPD among never-smoking workers from occupations associated with exposure to dusts, gases and/or fumes (dusty occupations) performed in R. Macedonia in the period 2011-2015. Methods: Prevalence and characteristics of COPD were assessed in the groups of bricklayers, cotton workers, grain workers, diary farmers, and welders. In addition, an equal group of administrative workers matched to dusty occupation workers by age and smoking status were studied as a control. Each study was performed by the same study protocol including questionnaire for respiratory symptoms in the last 12 months, baseline and post-bronchodilator spirometry and COPD diagnosis.