• Mohammad Hossain Boskabady, RezaiyanMajid KhademMK, Iman Navabi, Sara Shafiei, and Shahideh Shafiei Arab.
• Pharmaceutical Research Centre Department of Physiology, Medical School, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. boskabadymh@mums.ac.ir
• Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2010 Jan 1; 65 (10): 100310071003-7.

ObjectiveTo assess the respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function of carpenters from the city of Mashhad (northeast Iran).MethodsThe frequency of respiratory symptoms was retrospectively estimated in a sample of 66 carpenters in the city of Mashhad in northeast Iran using a questionnaire including questions on work-related respiratory symptoms in the past year, allergy, type of irritant chemicals that induce respiratory symptoms, smoking habits, and working periods as a carpenter. PFT values were also measured in all participants, and the age and smoking habits matched those of a sample of men from the general population as a control group.ResultsThirty-five carpenters (53%) reported work-related respiratory symptoms. Cough (34.4%) and sputum (33.3%) were the most common symptoms, and only 15.15% of carpenters reported wheezing during work. All respiratory symptoms were higher in carpenters than in controls, which was statistically significant for cough and sputum (p<0.001 in both cases). Most allergic symptoms were also significantly greater among the carpenters than in the control group (p<0.05 for both itchy eyes and sneezing). Most respiratory and allergic symptoms in the carpenters increased during work compared to rest period which was statistically significant only for cough (p<0.05). PFT values were significantly lower in the carpenters than in control subjects (p<0.05 to p<0.001).ConclusionsCarpentry work was associated with a high frequency of respiratory symptoms, particularly after exposure to irritating chemicals during work. PFT values were also significantly reduced among carpenters compared to controls.

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