Pulmonary function tests in three wheeler diesel taxi drivers in Bikaner city

ABSTRACT

Pulmonary Function Tests [PFTs] including spirometry give an important clue in terms of respiratory chronic airway disorders and can predict early damage to pulmonary system. The present study was carried out in 100 diesel taxi drivers [Study group] of Bikaner city and compared it with 100 healthy medicos [control group] in the age group of 20 to 50 years by computerized spirometer. The pulmonary function tests included FVC, FEV[1], FEV[1]/FVC, FEF[25-75%] and PEFR. All subjects were divided into non-smokers and smokers so that influence of smoking on lungs can be studied. The restrictive impairment was found in 87% of study group, of which 50% were smokers and 37% were non-smokers, mixed pattern [both restrictive and early obstructive impairment] was found in only 13% of study group, of which 7% were smokers and 5% non-smokers. When all the above five parameters were taken together, they were indicative of mixed pattern [both restrictive and obstructive] lung impairment