Background: Celiac disease is a common malabsorptive bowel disease caused by gluten sensitivity that affects other organs of the body in addition to the gastrointestinal tract, such as the liver, brain, and RESPIRATORY system. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the pulmonary volumes in patients with celiac disease in Kerman city. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on all adult patients with celiac disease in the Celiac Registry in Afzalipour Hospital. All patients whose records were complete were included in the study. At this stage, height and weight were measured, and their demographic information was recorded in a checklist. Then, according to the standard conditions, spirometry was performed. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22. Results: The study cases comprised 58 patients with celiac disease. The average age of the patients was 37. 59±, 18. 02 years. The mean height was 157. 22±, 14. 30 cm and the mean weight was 57. 09±, 17. 06 kg. The results showed that the mean forced vital capacity (FVC) was 3. 15±, 0. 93 L, the mean forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was 2. 68±, 0. 76 L, the mean ratio of FEV1 to FVC 83. 06 ±,5. 56%, and the mean of peak expiratory flow (PEF) was 6. 64±, 1. 61 L. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated pulmonary volumes in celiac patients were lower than the normal age-and sex-matched population. Further studies to follow up and assess RESPIRATORY problems in these patients are needed.

Background: Epidemic thunderstorm asthma is an observed increase in cases of acute bronchospasm following thunderstorms. This study aimed to compare the frequency of obstructive airway disease or bronchial hyperresponsiveness in subjects with thunderstorm-associated RESPIRATORY symptoms with subjects with similar symptoms presented at other times.Methods: A cross-sectional study from June to November of 2013 was conducted on subjects with thunderstorm-associated RESPIRATORY symptoms living in Ahvaz City, Iran. Thunderstorm-associated subjects were presented with asthmatic symptoms in thunderstorms, and other patients presented with similar symptoms at other times. Baseline spirometry was performed on patients to examine the presence of obstructive airway disease. In all patients with normal spirometry, a provocation test was applied. A comparison of qualitative and quantitative variables was made using the Chi-square and independent t test, respectively. All analyses were carried out using SPSS Statistics Version 22. A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.  Results: Out of 584 subjects, 300 and 284 participants were in thunderstorm-associated and non-thunderstorm-associated groups, respectively. After the final analysis, 87 (30.6%) and 89 (33.3%) of the thunderstorm-associated subjects and non-thunderstorm-associated group, respectively, had pieces of evidence of airflow limitation (P=0.27). Among the patients with normal spirometry, 161 (81.72%) of the thunderstorm-associated patients and 100 (56.17%) patients of the non-thunderstorm-associated symptoms group had a positive methacholine challenge test result (P<0.001). Conclusion: Most of the patients with thunderstorm-associated RESPIRATORY symptoms had no obvious evidence of airflow limitation in spirometry.

Bakers are frequently exposed to various irritant chemicals during work which can induce RESPIRATORY problems. In this study, pulmonary FUNCTION TESTS and self-reported RESPIRATORY and allergic symptoms in bakers were compared with matched control subjects. The frequency of RESPIRATORY and allergic symptoms was evaluated in a sample of 58 Iranian bakers and 58 control subjects using a questionnaire. Pulmonary FUNCTION TESTS (PFT) were also measured in all participants. All RESPIRATORY symptoms were significantly higher in bakers than control croup (P<0.05 to p<0.005). All allergic symptoms in bakers were also significantly greater than control group (P<0.05 to p<0.005). In addition, all RESPIRATORY (except sputum) and allergic (except urticaria) symptoms were significantly higher in bakers during work compared to rest period (p<0.05 to p<0.01) during work. Most PFT values except MEF25 were also significantly lower in bakers than control subjects (p<0.05 to p<0.001). These results showed that bakers have a higher frequency of work related RESPIRATORY symptoms and to a lesser extend allergic symptoms particularly during the work period. PFT values were also significantly reduced among bakers.

Background: Galvanization is the process of coating steel or cast iron pieces with a thin layer of zinc allowing protection against corrosion. One of the important hazards in this industry is exposure to zinc compounds specially zinc oxide fumes and dusts. In this study, we evaluated chronic effects of zinc oxide on the RESPIRATORY tract of galvanizers.Methods: Overall, 188 workers were selected from Arak galvanization plant in 2012 , 71 galvanizers as exposed group and 117 workers from other departments of plants as control group. Information was collected using American Thoracic Society (ATS) standard questionnaire, physical examination and demographic data sheet. Pulmonary FUNCTION TESTS were measured for all subjects. Exposure assessment was done with NIOSH 7030 method.Results: The Personal Breathing Zone (PBZ) air sampling results for zinc ranged from 6.61 to 8.25 mg/m3 above the permissible levels (Time weighted average; TWA:2 mg/m3). The prevalence of the RESPIRATORY symptoms such as dyspnea, throat and nose irritation in the exposed group was significantly (P<0.01) more than the control group. Decreasing in average percent in all spirometric parameters were seen in the galvanizers who exposed to zinc oxide fumes and dusts. The prevalence of obstructive RESPIRATORY disease was significantly (P=0.034) higher in the exposed group.Conclusions: High workplace zinc levels are associated with an increase in RESPIRATORY morbidity in galvanizers. Therefore administrators should evaluate these workers with periodic medical examinations and implement RESPIRATORY protection program in the working areas.

Background: Tile workers are exposed to a lot of dusts and are susceptible to various pulmonary complications. This study was designed to evaluate the RESPIRATORY symptoms and lung capacities of tile workers.Methods: This was a retrospective, cross sectional study on 350 workers in different factory workshops. We assessed RESPIRATORY complaints and pulmonary FUNCTION TESTS.Data were analyzed by SPSS using T-Test and ANOVA.Results: Among RESPIRATORY complaint, dyspnea was the most frequent (22.9%), and cough (13.1%) and sputum production (5.4%) were in the 2nd and 3rd orders. There was a significant relationship between dyspnea and reduction in spirometric indices (P<0.05), and there was a significant relationship between RESPIRATORY complaint and job title, frequency of RESPIRATORY symptoms were higher among foundry workers.Conclusion: It is clear that occupational exposures affect pulmonary FUNCTION, performing pulmonary FUNCTION TESTS may show lung term effect of these exposures.

Background: Welding is a common industrial process and is harmful to welders' health. Objective: To determine the effect of toxic gases and metal fumes produced during 3 welding processes on welders' incidence of RESPIRATORY symptoms and pulmonary FUNCTION. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in an Iranian shipbuilding industrial factory in 2018. Using the simple census method, 60 welders were selected as the exposed group. 45 staff members of the administrative unit were also recruited to be served as the control group. Welders' demographic data and RESPIRATORY complaints were collected employing a questionnaire. Fumes and gases produced were sampled from the welders' RESPIRATORY tract and analyzed by standard methods suggested by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Pulmonary FUNCTION test was also performed for each participant. Results: The prevalence of RESPIRATORY symptoms in all welders was significantly (p<0. 05) higher than the control group. The mean FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC measured in welders involved in all 3 processes were significantly lower than those recorded in the control group. The spirometry pattern in welders involved in flux cored arc welding and shielded metal arc welding was obstructive; that in those involved in gas metal arch welding was mixed (obstructive and restrictive pattern). Conclusion: Exposure to welding fumes and gases was associated with pulmonary FUNCTION deterioration. Welders involved in gas metal arch welding had a higher prevalence of pulmonary disorders compared with those involved in gas metal arch welding and flux cored arc welding.