BRONCHIAL REACTIVITY AND WORK-RELATED SYMPTOMS IN FARMERS

Work-related respiratory symptoms and bronchial reactivity were studie d in 76 never-smoking farmers and in a control group not exposed to or ganic dusts. The farmers were divided into those working with vegetabl es/grain crops, animals but not swine, and with swine. The extent of s ymptoms was evaluated using a specific organic dust questionnaire. Bro nchial reactivity was assessed with the methacholine challenge test. A n in creased incidence of organic dust toxic syndrome (ODTS), mucous m embrane irritation (MMI), and chronic bronchitis (CB) was found among farmers working with swine or other animals. Pulmonary function baseli ne values were normal. Bronchial reactivity was increased and related to subjective symptoms of MMI and CB. There was also a relation betwee n fatigue at work and bronchial reactivity. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.