Respiratory Health Status Of Traffic Police Personnels In Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Abstract

Background: To evaluate an association between vehicle exhaust and its effect on pulmonary functions of traffic police personnel and to assess the extent of impairment in the lung function of traffic police personnel compared to unexposed healthy control group. Material And Methods: In this comparative, observational study pulmonary function parameters were recorded in age- and BMI – matched 60 traffic police personnel (active in the field as study group) and 30 traffic police personnel (performing back office work as control group) of both genders. PFT parameters were compared between the study group and control group by using electronic (computerized) spirometer available in Department of Medicine, Smt.NHLMMC & VSGH. Blood oxygen saturation levels (SpO2) and Perfusion Index (PI) were recorded using Dr.Trust Professional series Fingertip Pulse Oximeter. Result: No difference was found in case of Systolic Blood Pressure, Blood oxygen saturation levels (SpO2) and Perfusion Index (PI) in both groups. Diastolic Blood Pressure was significantly (P<0.05) higher in study group (75.4 ± 8.03) in compare to control group (72.13 ± 6.02). There was a significant decrease in FVC (P<0.0001), FEV1 (P<0.00001), FEF25-75% (P<0.0001), PEF (P<0.001), FEF0.2-1.2 (P<0.001), FEF25% (P<0.001), FEF50% (P<0.0001) and Inspiratory capacity (P<0.05) in study group compared to the control group. Conclusion: These changes suggest obstruction and narrowing of the airways in study group traffic police personnel compared to the control group. It may be due to exposure to vehicle emission for several hours in a day, which decreases their lung capacity. Abbreviations: BMI: Body Mass Index (Kg/m2), PFT: Pulmonary function test, FVC: Forced Vital Capacity, FEV1: Forced Expiratory Volume in first second, FEF25-75%: Forced Expiratory Flow at 25-75% of FVC in litres per second, PEF: Peak Expiratory Flow in litres per second, FEF0.2-1.2: Forced Expiratory Flow between 200 and 1200 ml of FVC, FEF25%: Forced Expiratory Flow at 25% of FVC in litres per second, FEF50%; Forced Expiratory Flow at 50% of FVC in litres per second, FEF75%: Forced Expiratory Flow at 75% of FVC in litres per second.[Shukla P Natl J Integr Res Med, 2020; 11(3):54-57]