Abstract

BLUA, Ariel Eduardo; LOPEZ, Ana María; LUHNING, Susana  and  SOCIEDAD NEUMONOLOGIA DE CORDOBA (SONECO). Detección de compromiso respiratorio subdiagnosticado en transportistas de la ciudad de Córdoba. Rev. am. med. respir. [online]. 2014, vol.14, n.2, pp.125-135. ISSN 1852-236X.

Professional drivers may constitute a population with special features: sedentary lifestyle plus prevalence of smoking habit and obesity, which predispose them to several chronic diseases. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of underdiagnosed respiratory conditions, smoking habit and obesity, among professional drivers of Cordoba province. Material and Methods: Evaluation of 297 professional drivers during the medical examination for driving license renewal, at a clinic in the city of Córdoba, through a self - administered anonymous questionnaire and spirometry. Results: The prevalence of respiratory symptoms was 81.1% and that of the smoking habit was 59.3%; 46.1% smoked >10 cigarettes/day. In the group of subjects with obstructive spirometry, 55.5% had a history of smoking. The prevalence of obesity was 44.1% and overweight/obesity 84.8%. There was no correlation between increased BMI and spirometric impairment. The group of overweight/obesity had a higher prevalence of symptoms suggestive of OSA, both in the analysis of individual symptoms (snoring p = 0.0001, apnea p = 0.03 and somnolence p = 0.05 ) and in the analysis of all the symptoms together (p = 0.016). Conclusions: Obstructive underdiagnosed pathology was found in 10% of the study population and in a high percentage of subjects with symptoms suggestive of OSA. Smoking habit prevalence was twice the national average and 30% higher than the average of the Cordoba province. The prevalence of obesity was 3 times higher than that reported in the country; over 80% of the sample had a BMI higher than 25 kg/m2.

Keywords : Tabaquismo; Obesidad; Enfermedad respiratoria oculta; Transportistas; Smoking; Obesity; Underdiagnosed respiratory conditions; Professional drivers; Obstructive sleep apnea.

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