Study of Clinical Profile, Spirometric Function Test, Diffusing Capacity of Carbon Monoxide, 6 Minute Walk Test and Chest X-Ray Findings in Textile Dye-Printing Workers in Surat City

Abstract

INTRODUCTION The textile industry consists of several processes including dyeing, printing etc. and due to the exposures to various chemicals at work, these workers frequently complain of respiratory symptoms. Spirometry allows us to measure FEV1,FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio,FEF25- 75%.Diffusion Capacity of Lung for Carbon Monoxide(DLCO) test indicates the diffusion of Carbon Monoxide gas across the alveolar membrane. In 6 Minute walk Test ,Pulse rate and SpO2 is measure at the start and at the end of the test. (At 0 min and at 6 min) and then fall or rise in Pulse or SpO2 is observed. METHODOLOGY This study included all the subjects according to the inclusion criteria(40) coming to Respiratory Medicine OPD during the study period (15 months). Data was collected and analyzed .RESULTS Majority of the patients were male, (50%) and smokers. Dry cough seen in – 29 patients (72.5%) & Dyspnoea on exertion in 15(37.5%) patients. Chest X-Ray was normal in – 21patients (52.5%), followed by Prominent Broncho-Vascular markings (BVM) was seen in 10(25%) patients. On Spirometry Findings, 24 (60%) patients were normal, 8 (20%) patients showed Restrictive Pattern, 6 (15%) showed Obstructive Pattern and 2 (5%) patients showed Mixed Pattern. In DLCO ndings, 27 patients showed normal (67.5%) and 13 (32.5%) patients showed Decreased Pattern. CONCLUSION Duration of exposure to dye and smoking were signicantly associated with Clinical features, reduced 6 Minute Walk distance, Abnormal Spirometry and DLCO ndings. FEF25-75% was signicantly decreased in most of the dye-workers in present study. As the Dyeing-workers are working in hazardous environment, there should protocols be formed for routine medical check-up at frequent interval in textile industry to detect occupation related diseases at early stage and to intervene the problem timely.