Assessment of lung function among urban station policemen

Abstract

Abstract : Background- Police officers are
involved in difficult, stressful, demanding
work. In addition to station duties they are
also involved in patrolling, clearing traffics
and crowd control and as such they are at
risk of exposure to air pollution. So far,
many pulmonary function studies have
been done among traffic police personnel
but since station police officer are also at
risk of exposure to air pollution, this study
was done to assess the pulmonary parameters
of these police personnel. Aim-
To assess the pulmonary functional status
of urban station police officers. Materials
and methods- The present study was carried
out in 50 station police men in the age
group of 30-50 years, of Chennai city, using
a computerized spirometer. The pulmonary
parameters assessed were FVC,
FEV1 and FEV1 FVC ratio. Their mean
values (SD) were compared with their predicted
values and their statistical significance
analyzed by using unpaired t-test.
Results- The mean value of FVC was
3.01L and the predictive value was 3.41 L.
There is a significant decrease in the FVC
value (P value less than 0.001) of urban
station police officers
compared to their predicted values. There
was no significant change in FEV1FVC
ratio. Conclusion- Based on the above
pulmonary parameters it was concluded
that the urban station police men showed
restrictive pattern ( decreased FVC, normal
FEV1FVC ratio) of lung disease.
Keyword :Air pollution, Restrictive disease,
Pulmonary function