Respiratory symptoms in World Trade Center responders

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21187790

J Occup Environ Med. 2010 Dec 23. [Epub ahead of print]
Respiratory Symptoms Were Associated With Lower Spirometry Results During the First Examination of WTC Responders.
Udasin I, Schechter C, Crowley L, Sotolongo A, Gochfeld M, Luft B, Moline J, Harrison D, Enright P.

From the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey,- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey (Drs Udasin, Sotolongo, and Gochfeld), Family and Social Medicine, Albert Einstein School of Medicine, Bronx (Dr Schechter), Community and Preventive Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine (Drs Crowley and Moline), Department of Medicine, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Port Jefferson (Dr Luft), Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine (Dr Harrison), College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (Dr Enright).
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Determine if World Trade Center (WTC) disaster responders had lower lung function and higher bronchodilator responsiveness than those with respiratory symptoms and conditions.

METHODS: We evaluated cardinal respiratory symptoms (dyspnea, wheezing, dry cough, productive cough) and determined the difference in FEV1, FVC, and bronchodilator responsiveness.

RESULTS: All respiratory symptoms were associated with a lower FEV1 and FVC, and a larger bronchodilator response. Responders reporting chronic productive cough, starting during WTC work and persisting, had a mean FEV1 109 mL lower than those without chronic persistent cough; their odds of having abnormally low FEV1 was 1.40 times higher; and they were 1.65 times as likely to demonstrate bronchodilator responsiveness.

CONCLUSIONS: Responders reporting chronic persistent cough, wheezing or dyspnea at first medical examination were more likely to have lower lung function and bronchodilator responsiveness.