Gallagher Lou M, Crane Julian, Fitzharris Penny, Bates Michael N
Institute for Environmental Science and Research, Kenepuru, New Zealand.
Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2007 Feb;80(4):335-41. doi: 10.1007/s00420-006-0141-4. Epub 2006 Sep 26.
To confirm that working with horses is an occupational respiratory hazard and observed associations are not attributable to confounding.
A postal survey of the respiratory health of 659 horse trainers and a comparison group of 506 vegetable growers was conducted. Data were analysed using logistic regression.
Relative to vegetable growers, horse trainers reported higher rates of chronic bronchitis [odds ratio (OR) = 6.8, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.2-21.4] and organic dust toxic syndrome/farmers' lung (ODTS/FL) (OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.8-6.8). Grinding oats, spreading hay, and using powdered feed supplements were associated with increased respiratory symptoms among trainers. Associations between symptoms and working with horses increased for full-time workers.
This study found evidence that working with horses is a risk factor for ODTS/FL and bronchitis. The associations did not appear to be explained by bias, including confounding. However, the possibility of confounding cannot be entirely ruled out, and confirmatory studies are needed. Future studies should consider inorganic dust exposures.
确认与马匹接触是一种职业性呼吸危害，且观察到的关联并非由混杂因素所致。
对659名驯马师的呼吸健康状况进行了邮寄调查，并与506名蔬菜种植者组成的对照组进行了比较。使用逻辑回归分析数据。
与蔬菜种植者相比，驯马师报告的慢性支气管炎发病率更高[比值比（OR）=6.8，95%置信区间（CI）：2.2 - 21.4]，有机粉尘中毒综合征/农民肺（ODTS/FL）发病率也更高（OR = 3.5，95% CI：1.8 - 6.8）。驯马师中，研磨燕麦、铺干草和使用粉状饲料添加剂与呼吸道症状增加有关。全职工作者中，症状与接触马匹之间的关联更强。
本研究发现有证据表明与马匹接触是ODTS/FL和支气管炎的危险因素。这些关联似乎无法用偏倚（包括混杂因素）来解释。然而，混杂的可能性不能完全排除，需要进行验证性研究。未来的研究应考虑无机粉尘暴露情况。
