Decline in lung function among cement production workers: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Several studies with different results have been performed regarding cement dust exposure and its pathogenic outcomes during the previous years. This study aims to combine these results to obtain a reliable estimate of the effect of exposure to cement dust. METHODS: PubMed and other data banks were searched to identify required electronic articles. The search was extended interviewing with relevant experts and research centers. Point and pooled estimates of outcome with 95% confidence intervals were estimated. RESULTS: Participants were 5371 exposed and 2650 unexposed persons. Total mean differences (95% confidence intervals) were estimated as of -0.48 (-0.71 to -0.25) L for forced vital capacity (FVC), -0.7 (-0.92 to -0.47) L for forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), -0.43 (-0.68 to -0.19) L for FEV1/FVC%, -0.73 (-1.15 to -0.30) L/min for PEFR and -0.36 (-0.51 to -0.21) L/s for FEF25-75. CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis showed that cement dust has significant impact on lung function and reduces the indicators of FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEFR and FEF25-75.