Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function in saskatchewan farmers

We tested 1,939 farmers living in 16 selected rural municipalities in the province of Saskatchewan, where grain farming or mixed grain and livestock farming are chiefly practiced. Each participant was weighed and measured, and performed a maximum of six maximal forced expiratory maneuvers in an attempt to obtain three acceptable tests. Complete data were obtained from 1,809 farmers. There was statistically significant differences between the groups when controlling for age and smoking history. The farmers had more symptoms of cough, sputum production, and shortness of breath. They had a greater prevalence of chest tightness and lower mean values for FVC, FEV sub(1), and MMFR. Farmers who had never smoked had a significantly higher relative risk for the symptom of shortness of breath. Farmers in the younger age categories who were current smokers had significantly higher relative risk for the symptoms of cough and phlegm production.