RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 P55 The occupations associated with COPD risk in the large population-based UK Biobank cohort study
JF Thorax
JO Thorax
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society
SP A103
OP A104
DO 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2015-207770.192
VO 70
IS Suppl 3
A1 S De Matteis
A1 D Jarvis
A1 S Hutchings
A1 A Darnton
A1 L Rushton
A1 P Cullinan
YR 2015
UL http://thorax.bmj.com/content/70/Suppl_3/A103.2.abstract
AB Introduction and objectives COPD is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Exposure to occupational hazards is an important and preventable risk factor. However, the contribution of each occupation to COPD risk in a general population is uncertain. Our aim was to investigate the association of COPD with occupation in a large UK population-based study.Methods Between 2006 and 2010 the UK Biobank cohort recruited 502,649 subjects aged 40–69 years. COPD cases were defined by spirometry-based FEV1/FVC <LLN according to ATS/ERS guidelines. Individual current occupation was coded using the Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) 2000. Prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of COPD for exposure to each SOC-coded job were estimated using a robust Poisson model adjusted for sex, age, study centre and lifetime tobacco smoking.Results Of the 353 SOC-coded jobs reported by 228,614 current working participants several occupations showed a significantly increased COPD risk. The occupations at highest COPD risk were Seafarers (PR = 2.64;95% CI:1.59–4.38), Coal mine operatives (PR = 2.30;95% CI:1.00–5.31), Cleaners (Industrial: PR = 1.96;95% CI:1.16–3.31 and Domestic: PR = 1.43;95% CI:1.28–1.59), Roofers/tilers (PR = 1.86;95% CI:1.29–2.67), Packers/bottlers/canners/fillers (PR = 1.60;95% CI:1.15–2.22), Food, drink and tobacco process operatives (PR = 1.46;95% CI:1.11–1.93), Floorers and wall tillers (PR = 1.41;95% CI:1.00–2.00), Postal workers/couriers (PR = 1.35; 95% CI:1.15–1.59), Labourers in building and woodworking trades (PR = 1.32; 95% CI:1.04–1.68), School mid-day assistants (PR = 1.32; 95% CI:1.01–1.74), and Kitchen/catering assistants (PR = 1.30; 95% CI:1.10–1.53). Associations were similar in analyses restricted to never smokers and to subjects never reporting a doctor’s diagnosis of asthma.Conclusions Selected occupations are associated with increased COPD risk in a large cross-sectional population-based UK study. Further analyses to investigate the underlying occupational hazards are planned. Occupational health surveillance among these occupations should be strengthened.