Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction and Respiratory Symptoms in Nurses
Author Information
Author(s): Jordan Minov, Karadzinska-Bislimovska Jovanka, Vasilevska Kristin, Risteska-Kuc Snezana, Stoleski Saso, Mijakoski Dragan
Primary Institution: Institute for Occupational Health of R. Macedonia
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence and characteristics of exercise-induced respiratory symptoms and bronchoconstriction in health care workers compared to office workers?
Conclusion
The study found similar prevalence of exercise-induced respiratory symptoms and bronchoconstriction in both nurses and office workers, with bronchial reaction to exercise being significantly higher in nurses.
Supporting Evidence
- EIB was closely related to asthma, atopy, family history of asthma, and positive histamine challenge.
- Bronchial reaction to exercise was significantly higher in nurses than in controls with EIB.
- EIRSs were weakly associated with EIB in both groups with a large proportion of false positive results.
Takeaway
Nurses and office workers have about the same chance of having breathing problems when they exercise, but nurses react more strongly to exercise.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study involving questionnaires, skin prick tests, spirometry, and exercise and histamine challenges.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to self-reported symptoms and the lack of environmental exposure data.
Limitations
The study had a relatively small sample size and did not test for workplace allergens or perform environmental measurements.
Participant Demographics
48 female nurses aged 24 to 51 years, matched with 48 female office workers by age and smoking status.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.033
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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