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Context: Respiratory morbidity among construction workers is one of the most neglected occupational diseases, in spite of the high risk. Aims: The aim of this study is to compare the respiratory symptoms, pulmonary function, and respiratory morbidity-related quality of life between people working in construction sites and the age- and gender-matched controls. Settings and Design: It is an analytical cross-sectional study. Methods and Material: People working in the construction sites (mason/daily laborer) for at least 5 years and control group working in other occupations were included. People other than mason/daily laborer and people with a past history of COPD/bronchial asthma before joining the construction industry were excluded. Statistical Analysis Used: Pulmonary function test was done and St. George respiratory questionnaire was used to the quality of life. Unpaired f-test and Chi-square test/Fisher's exact test were used to compare numeric outcomes and categorical outcomes respectively. Results: We have included 120 construction workers and 120 age- and gender-matched controls. The Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) (mean difference [MD] 0.20, 95% CI 0.025-0.381, P value 0.025), FEV1 (MD 0.21, 95% CI 0.061-0.364, P value 0.006), and FEV1\FVC% predicted (MD 5.01, 95% CI 1.11-8.92, P value 0.012) were significantly lower among the construction workers. The overall SGRQ score was also significantly higher among the construction workers indicating poor overall respiratory morbidity-related quality of life (MD 12.69, 95% CI 10.59-14.80, P value <0.001). Conclusions: Pulmonary function and respiratory function-related quality of life are considerably poor among people working in the construction industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major public health challenge in India with significant economic burden and healthcare utilization and contributes to patients' daily life limitations. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) reflects the health- and disease-related aspects of QoL. Limited studies have examined this dimension in healthcare settings. We explored the HRQoL among patients with COPD attending a tertiary care facility and the factors (enablers and constraints) influencing it. Materials and Methods: A parallel mixed-method study design was adopted to undertake the study. Data were collected from 110 patients with COPD attending the outpatient department of the tertiary care hospital at Bhubaneswar, Odisha, during June and July 2014. The translated and pretested version of St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) was used. In addition, in-depth interviews were held with 11 patients. Results: The overall HRQoL was significantly lower in females and patients from rural area. It declined with increasing age and was worst in patients age 70 years or above. Patients having two or more comorbid conditions had the poorest HRQoL. Reason for not using inhalers was mentioned to be perceived harm due to prolonged use. Family support and better financial condition were enablers while easy accessibility of healthcare facilities helped in early interventions. Conclusion: COPD has considerable negative impact on the QoL with advancing age and is worse among the geriatric age group population. Acute exacerbations impair HRQoL. The degree of severity of COPD could be determined by SGRQ which reflects the impairment of their HRQoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]