Effects of smog on respiratory muscle strength and risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in healthy people

Abstract

Objective Smog impacts the risk of respiratory disease. However, the effects of smog on the healthy people have not been intensively investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the influences of smog on maximal respiratory pressure, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in healthy people.

Methods A total of 400 voluntary healthy subjects, aged between 30-87 years old were recruited. All participants have been inhabited in Phayao province for at least 3 years. The maximum respiratory pressure was determined by using respiratory pressure meter (MicroRPM®). The PEFR was assessed by using Mini Wright peak flow meter and the questionnaire was used for analysis the risk of COPD.

Results The results showed that there was no difference of PEFR level in the volunteers who had been long term exposed to smog compared with standard value, with the p=0.694. However, the maximum inspiratory pressure and maximum expiratory pressure of the participants were significantly reduced to 22.46±17.10 and 17.93±35.17 cm H2O, respectively, with the p <0.001. Moreover, 4.5 percent of the healthy volunteers have risk to be COPD.

Conclusion Smog caused decreasing of maximum inspiratory pressure and maximum expiratory pressure and the people who have been long term exposed to smog have a high risk to be COPD.