Occupational exposure and chronic bronchitis in a sample of the general population in Telemark, Norway: a two-phased cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

We aimed to estimate the prevalence of chronic bronchitis (CB), examine its association with occupational exposure to irritants assessed by self-reporting or the Nordic job exposure matrix (N-JEM) stratified by smoking status and estimate the population-attributable fraction (PAF) of CB from occupational exposure.

Methods

A two-phased, cross-sectional design was used to analyse a random sample collected in 2013 and 2018 of the population aged 16-55 years in Telemark County, Norway. CB was defined as cough and sputum production for ≥3 months over 2 consecutive years. The participants' occupational histories were categorised using the International Standard Classification of Occupations and linked to the N-JEM. Self-reported occupational exposure was also assessed.

SUBMITTER: Fell AKM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12015022 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature