WORK CHARACTERISTICS AND LIFE-STYLE AS PREDICTORS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHRONIC NONSPECIFIC LUNG-DISEASE AMONG ELDERLY MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES

Objectives-This study prospectively evaluated factors of working condi tions and lifestyle in the development of chronic non-specific lung di sease (CNSLD). Methods-Baseline data were collected in 1981 from 5386 municipal employees born in 1923-35 who had no diagnosed CNSLD. The su bjects were studied again in 1985 with a postal questionnaire. The pre dictors of CNSLD were selected by multivariate logistic regression ana lysis. Results-159 (3%) reported the development of CNSLD confirmed by a physician. During the 4.6 year follow up period the average annual incidence was 6.5/1000 subjects. In men the legit model followed was: smoking (odds ratio (OR) 1.17, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.06-1 .29), tight work schedule (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.03-1.65), loss of a close friend (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.13-4.31), and retirement of a spouse (OR 3. 31, 95% CI 1.35-8.11). In women the selected risk factors were: smokin g (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.01-1.38), atopy (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.12-3.53), phys ically heavy work (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.09-2.29), poor physical working c onditions such as heat, cold, changing temperature (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1. 13-1.75), and infrequent communication with other people at work (OR 1 .25, 95% CI 1.05-1.49). Conclusion-The differences in the predictors o f the incidence of CNSLD between men and women were partly explained b y different smoking habits, frequency of atopy, and working conditions . In men the significance of life events (loss of close friend and ret irement of wife) need further investigation.