Table IV.
Pulmonary function and non-specific bronchial challenge tests among salt water fish (pilchard and anchovy) processing workers
| Pulmonary function indices | |
|---|---|
| Males (n = 200) | |
| FEV1 (litres) | 3.35 ± 0.84 |
| FVC (litres) | 4.05 ± 0.79 |
| FEV1 % predicted | 86 ± 16 |
| FVC % predicted | 89 ± 13 |
| FEV1/FVC % | 83 ± 22 |
| Females (n = 343) | |
| FEV1 (litres) | 2.46 ± 0.50 |
| FVC (litres) | 2.86 ± 0.55 |
| FEV1 % predicted | 87 ± 13 |
| FVC % predicted | 87 ± 13 |
| FEV1/FVC % | 86 ± 7 |
| Entire group (n = 543) | |
| FEV1 (litres) | 2.79 ± 0.78 |
| FVC (litres) | 3.30 ± 0.87 |
| FEV1 % predicted | 86 ± 14 |
| FVC % predicted | 88 ± 13 |
| FEV1/FVC % | 85 ± 14 |
| No. with FEV1/FVC <70% (absolute) | 29 (5%) |
| No. with FEV1 <80% predicted | 153 (28%) |
| No. with evidence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (n=510) | |
| No. ≥12% FEV1 increase post bronchodilator (n=83) | 11 (2%) |
| No. ≥10% FEV1 decrease post saline diluent (nc=445) | 21 (4%) |
| No. ≥20% FEV1 decrease to methacholine at ≤8 mg/ml (nc=424) | 123 (24%) |
| - short protocol (nc =259) | 53 (10%) |
| - medium protocol (nc=102) | 39 (8%) |
| - long protocol (nc=63) | 31 (6%) |
| No. ≥20% FEV1 decrease to methacholine at >8 mg/ml but <16 mg/ml (nc=424) | 17 (3%) |
Continuous variables - mean ± S.D; Categorical variables - number (%); nc number completed test; Reference values are from the European Community for Coal and Steel (ECCS), 1993.