Work-related respiratory symptoms in Champagne vineyard workers.

BACKGROUND: Vineyard workers (VW) are exposed to various respiratory allergens. The aims of the study were to determine the prevalence of work related respiratory symptoms (WRS) in Champagne VW in France and to analyze the relationships between symptoms, occupational exposure and sensitization profile. METHODS: VW of Reims area were prospectively recruited between 2007 and 2010. Demographic and occupational characteristics were recorded. Respiratory symptoms were scored for each month of the past year. Results of respiratory functional tests and skin prick tests for common respiratory allergens, grape moulds and vine pollen were recorded. RESULTS: 307 subjects were included. The prevalence of WRS was 11%. Compared to subjects with symptoms unrelated to work, subjects with WRS were more frequently sensitized to gramineae (34% vs 18%, p = 0.05), described ocular itching (74% vs 37%, p < 0.001) and seasonal symptoms (88% vs 69%, p = 0.03) mainly during lifting and trellising (57% vs 17%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: WRS are frequent in Champagne WV and are associated with a sensitization to gramineae and with activities performed close to vine in late spring.

Transient hand paresthesias in Champagne vineyard workers.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of hand paresthesias (HP) and their relationship with pruning activities. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 537 workers pruning grapevines in the region of Champagne. All workers completed a questionnaire about nocturnal HP and musculoskeletal pain during the preceding 12-month period. RESULTS: The 12-month prevalence of nocturnal HP and hand-wrist pain were 37 and 12%, respectively. HP, predominantly affecting the dominant hand, only began during the pruning period and ended after the pruning season in 90% of cases. HP were transient in most cases, with a mean duration of symptoms of 3.3 +/- 3.2 months. Risk factors associated with HP were: female gender (OR = 2.3 [1.3-3.0]), being overweight (OR = 1.6 [1.1-2.5]), payment on a piecework basis (OR = 2.0 [1.2-2.3]) and traditional blade sharpening method (OR = 1.7 [1.1-2.7]). HP were less frequent in employees who used electric pruning shears (OR = 0.5 [0.2-1.6], P = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: The development of HP, which affected a third of employees, was different from HP observed in industrial workers since most vineyard workers recovered without medical treatment after the pruning season.