Criteria for differential diagnostics of the bronchopulmonary pathology in employees exposed to occupational air pollutants

Introduction. In recent years the nature of the developing professional pathology of the respiratory system and the features of clinical manifestations have been proved to be determined not only by harmful factors of the working environment but also by individual characteristics of the body, such as age, state of the immune system, etc. In some cases, the differential diagnosis of various forms of bronchopulmonary pathology to date causes certain difficulties.

Aim. To establish the criteria for differential diagnosis of the nosological form of the pathology of the bronchopulmonary system from the effects of occupational airborne pollutants using fluorine compounds as an example at different times of diagnosis.

Material and methods. 130 patients with an established diagnosis of occupational pathology of the broncho-pulmonary system were examined. All patients were divided into 2 groups: 1 - patients with professional bronchopulmonary pathology, in whom the disease was associated with the occupation during initial hospitalization, during the continuation of work in aluminum production or no later than a year after termination of work); Group 2 - persons with occupational bronchopulmonary pathology, who were diagnosed with respiratory pathology during the period of work, and the connection of the disease with the occupation more than 1 year after termination of work. Patients underwent spirometry, body plethysmography, a 6-minute walk test, questionnaires using the COPD Assessment Test (CAT) questionnaire, and respiratory symptoms were assessed using a 4-point mMRS scale. Statistical analysis methods were performed using the STATISTICA software package - version 6 of Stat Soft Inc. (USA). Intergroup comparison of quantitative indices was carried out using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test. Values are presented as mean and mean error. To establish the criteria for differential diagnosis, a discriminant analysis was performed.

Results. The CAT score (strong COPD influence on the patient’s life) was statistically significantly worse (25.91 points) in group 2 (versus 21.85 points in group 1), as well as spirometry indices: FVC, 68.30% of due values against 79.90% and FEV₁ - 62.15% against 70.88%. (p <0.05). As a result of discriminant analyzes, informative criteria for the differential diagnosis of occupational bronchopulmonary pathology were established: the severity of shortness of breath on the CAT questionnaire, the total score on the CAT questionnaire; the ratio of the forced vital capacity of the lungs to the forced expiratory volume in 1 minute (FVC /FEV₁), the instantaneous volumetric rate after expiration is 25% FVC (MOS₂₅), the instantaneous volumetric rate after expiration is 50% FVC (MOS₅₀, forced expiratory volume per 1 minute (FEV₁); total bronchial resistance according to body plethysmography (sRtotal), residual lung volume according to body plethysmography (RLV). The results indicate the progression of clinical manifestations of bronchopulmonary pathology even after stopping work in aluminum new production.
Conclusion. The criteria for differential diagnosis of bronchopulmonary pathology from the effects of occupational airborne pollutants taking into account the individual characteristics of the body are established.