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F Di Pede

Publications and source records attributed to F Di Pede.

77 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

[Cross-over epidemiologic study of symptoms and respiratory function in workers at a furniture factory].

An epidemiological survey on symptoms and diseases (collected with CNR standardized questionnaire) and on lung function (forced vital capacity and derived indexes; CO diffusing capacity) has been carried on in workers of a furniture plant in Arezzo. Significantly higher prevalence rates of cough in smokers than in non smokers, and of cough, phlegm, wheeze in non smoker workers than in the control group from a general population sample were present. A not significant relationship of symptoms and working years was also found. Lung function indices were in the normal range; smokers had significantly lower values than non smokers. A lower FEV1%, after adjusting for age and smoking, was shown by subjects with more working years. Thus, in a modern furniture plant the risk of adverse health effect seems to be slight: this conclusion may be confirmed by the ongoing longitudinal survey.

Adult↗

Reference values for vital capacity and flow-volume curves from a general population study.

A longitudinal epidemiological respiratory study has been started in the North of Italy to investigate the natural history of obstructive airways disease and the long-term effect of SO2 exposure. The first cross-sectional study was completed in this unpolluted area before the activation of a thermoelectric power plant (500 tons of SO2 produced daily). Follow-up surveys are planned after pollution emission starts for a period of ten years. A sample (n = 3289) representative of the general population was drawn from the villages of the area according to the different risks of pollution exposure. Subjects completed questionnaires and performed lung function tests, including forced expiratory (FVC) manoeuvres. For 801 'normal' subjects, prediction equations have been derived in age/sex groups for slow vital capacity (VC) and variables from the FVC manoeuvre. Comparisons with predictions of other studies are reported. Differences among FVC predictions were found, indicating that the use of different criteria for determination of the FVC manoeuvre end-point can affect results. In 'normals' VC was higher than FVC in older subjects. The difference between VC and FVC may be hypothesized as an epidemiological indication of the ageing effect on the mechanical properties of the ventilatory system.

Adolescent↗

[A cross-sectional epidemiological study of symptoms and respiratory physiology in a sample of workers in shoe manufacture].

The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and functional abnormalities has been evaluated in a sample of 350 workers (186 males and 164 females, mean age: 35.1 and 36.6 years respectively) employed in 24 factories of the shoes industry in the area of Pisa, exposed to airway irritants (solvent vapours, leather dusts and fumes). Each subject performed C.N.R. questionnaire of respiratory symptoms and diseases, and measurement of Forced Vital Capacity and derived indices. A mild prevalence of respiratory symptoms (chronic cough: 9.3% and 8.5% in males and females respectively; chronic phlegm: 14.6% and 6.8%; persistent wheeze: 2.1% and 1.7%; dyspnea of 1st degree: 23.3% and 39.0%) was reported, more frequently in smokers than in non smokers. Subjects with longer job duration in the shoe industry showed a trend to have a higher prevalence of chronic phlegm than subjects with shorter job duration; on the contrary, the last ones had a higher prevalence of rhino-conjunctivitis. A higher prevalence of attacks of shortness of breath and dyspnea of 2nd degree in males, and dyspnea of 1st degree in females was observed in workers to high risk job (to shear, to use adhesive, etc.) with respect to workers employed in low risk job (to assembly, to store etc). Mean spirometric values where in the normal range. Subdividing the subjects in groups with different smoking habit and job duration, a mild effect of the occupational exposure in groups with the same smoking habit could be observed for FEV1 and MEF50 particularly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗