P-491 MONITORING THE CHANGES OF THE RESPIRATORY FUNCTION OF TUNISIAN PROFESSIONAL DIVERS

• Published in: Occupational medicine (Oxford) Vol. 74; no. Supplement_1
• Main Authors: Kacem, Imene, Kahloul, Mohamed, Moussa, Amen, Ghenim, Amal, Chouchane, Asma, Ajmi, Mohamed, Aloui, Asma, Brahem, Aicha, Kalboussi, Houda, Maalel, Olfa El, Chatti, Souhail, Naija, Walid, Maoua, Maher, Mrizak, Nejib, Ayed, Souha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 05.07.2024
• ISSN: 0962-7480; 1471-8405
• DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqae023.1246

Abstract Background Diving is a strenuous underwater activity in which environmental conditions affect the functions and structure of tissues especially the respiratory system. So pulmonary function tests of the divers can give us valuable information about the consequences of this activity. Aim To assess changes in respiratory function after 8 years of professional diving. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed on divers who have consulted in the occupational medicine department of a Tunisian Hospital during periodical fitness to work visits from 2014 to 2021. Pulmonary function tests were performed with the same operating standards and using a MIR spirolab III spirometry. Each subject acted as his or her own control. Results Seventy five divers were included in this study. The mean age was 36.6 ± 8.7 years. Smoking was reported in 68% of cases. In our study, none of the participants had a respiratory history. Over the 8 years, a significant decrease in the forced expired volume in 1 second/functional vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) ratio (p =0.0005) was reported as well as a decrease in the forced expiratory flow (FEF) at 25% and 75% (p=0.0024). A decrease in functional vital capacity (FVC) was also reported (p=0.006). There was a significant decrease in FEV1, FVC, DEM.50, in the age group between 40 and 60 years old and in the smokers group. No significant difference was reported with professional seniority. Conclusion Several factors accompanying the diving activity are capable of initiating damage to the airways justifying the prosecution of studies.