The Impact of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) on Workers' Work Ability
Jasmina Biščević-Tokić
Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Čekaluša 90, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Sanja Brekalo-Lazarević
*
Department of Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Čekaluša 90, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Ivana Lazarević
University Clinical Center Tuzla, Prof. dr. Ibre Pašića, 75 000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Nedim Tokić
Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Bolnička 25, 71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Emir Horozić
Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Technology, University of Tuzla, Urfeta Vejzagića 8, 75 000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Maida Smajlović
Department of Environmental Protection Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Tuzla, Urfeta Vejzagića 8, 75 000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Bahrudin Hadžiefendić
University Clinical Center Tuzla, Prof. dr. Ibre Pašića, 75 000 Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: The symptoms of COPD differ based on the stage of the disease, becoming more noticeable in its severe stages and during exacerbations. They are associated with temporary incapacity for work and cause a decrease in working capacity. Also, occupations with special working conditions and exposure to pollutants at work cause increased bronchial secretion and cough. This research aims to identify the most common symptoms in COPD patients and evaluate their work capacity based on symptom prevalence.
Methods: 200 subjects were included in the prospective study. Participants were divided into two groups: a study group and a control group. Within each group, subgroups were created based on smoking habits, a key risk factor for COPD development.
Results: The dominant symptom in both groups was cough, with 34.67%. In subjects with preserved working capacity, the most common symptoms are chest pressure with 13.33% and shortness of breath with 9.33%, while in the group with reduced working capacity, fatigue (30%) and dyspnea with 26%. In the control group, most subjects had obstructive bronchitis, asthma and chronic simplex bronchitis.
Conclusion: According to the GOLD classification, modified working capacity decreased by 51.33%, while retained working capacity declined by 48.67% in relation to disease severity. Cough was the dominant symptom in both groups, while other symptoms varied independently of the stage of the disease.
Keywords: Work ability, cough, fatigue, symptom