Occupational Exposure and Associated Respiratory Diseases in Patients Presenting to a Tertiary Care Hospital in Peshawar

Abstract

Background: Occupational exposure to dust, fumes, gases, and chemical substances is an important cause of respiratory diseases across the world, especially in developing countries. Workers in industries such as construction, mining, agriculture, and textiles are at an increased risk of suffering from occupational respiratory diseases. Objective: To assess occupational exposure and its association with respiratory diseases among patients presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Peshawar. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Pulmonology, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar from January to December 2024. In the present study, a structured questionnaire was used for collecting demographic information, occupational history, type of exposure, and duration of exposure. The study also involved clinical evaluation and investigations such as chest X-ray, spirometry, sputum examination, and CT scans for diagnosis. Results: The highest percentage of participants was exposed to silica/cement dust (31.2%), followed by textile dust (17.5%) and coal dust (16.2%). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was the most common respiratory disease observed (33.7%), followed by occupational asthma (22.5%), pneumoconiosis/silicosis (17.5%), hypersensitivity pneumonitis (12.5%), and other chronic respiratory diseases (13.7%). Conclusion: Occupational exposure to dust, fumes, and chemical substances were the major factors that influences the occurrence of respiratory diseases. COPD and occupational asthma were the most common issues. It is necessary to strengthen the measures for ensuring occupational safety, the use of personal protective equipment, and the implementation of health screening programs to combat respiratory diseases.