Longitudinal limits of normal decline in lung function in an individual.
Authors
Hnizdo-E; Sircar-K; Glindmeyer-HW; Petsonk-EL
Source
J Occup Environ Med 2006 Jun; 48(6):625-634
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to propose a method of calculating longitudinal limits of normal decline (LND) in forced expiratory volume in 1 second to identify individuals with an excessive decline in lung function and to compare the method with other published LND methods. We used longitudinal data from 11 workplace-based spirometric monitoring programs conducted from 1987 to 2001 on 12,729 workers to evaluate effectiveness of each LND method in identifying a "true" excessive decline in forced expiratory volume in 1 second defined using two criteria: slope >60 mL/year or >90 mL/year estimated over 5 or more years of follow up. In comparison to the LND proposed by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the proposed method had 5.0 to 2.7 times higher sensitivity over years 1 through 5 for the >60-mL/yr criterion. The proposed LND method was more effective than the other methods for identifying excessive declines.
Keywords
Lung-function; Monitoring-systems; Workers; Worker-health; Sensitivity-testing; Lung-disorders; Pulmonary-system-disorders; Surveillance
Contact
Eva Hnizdo, PhD, Division of Respiratory Disease Studies, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
ehnizdo@cdc.gov
Priority Area
Disease and Injury: Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; Construction
Source Name
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
