IMPAIRMENT OF PEAK EXPIRATORY FLOW-RATE IN SHIFT WORKERS

Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), one of the measures of pulmonary fun ction, was monitored in 410 subjects consisting of 45 day workers from Raipur city, 157 day workers and 208 shift workers from a suburban ce ment plant. The PEFR in each subject was measured between 09:00 and 11 :00. Thereafter, subjects were categorised into two groups, i.e., youn g (less than or equal to 40 y) and aged (greater than or equal to 41 y ). A statistically significant low PEFR was witnessed only among elder ly shift workers. Furthermore, a positive correlation between PEFR and body surface area (BSA) was obtained, irrespective of variation in ag e as well as work pattern. The results of the present study clearly de monstrate a diminished capacity in shift workers' pulmonary function.