LAUSR

Background: Exposure to vapours, gas, dust and fumes (VGDF) is associated with respiratory conditions, and so are socioeconomic status (SES) and certain occupations. Our aim was to evaluate if exposure to VGDF and classification of occupations and SES based on job-titles have similar associations with respiratory conditions. Methods: Data on job title, respiratory conditions, and VGDF-exposure were collected in a questionnaire survey of a population-based sample in Northern Sweden. The participants (n=9992, 50% women) were aged 30-69 years. Job-titles were used for classification into SES groups and occupational groups according to the Swedish and Nordic classification systems SSYK and NYK. Results: VGDF-exposure was a significant risk factor for all respiratory symptoms and conditions (OR 1.3-2.4). Productive cough and wheezing were associated with the SES groups manual workers (OR1.5-2.1), and non-manual employees (OR1.6-1.9). These groups include builders, transportation workers, service workers, nurses, teachers and administration clerks identified with increased risks also by the SSYK (OR2.4-3.7) but not by the NYK classification. The SES group manual workers in service and the SSYK groupsadministration, service, health and social work were associated with productive cough and wheezing independent of sex, age, smoking habits, family history of asthma and VGDF-exposure. Conclusions: Classification of SES and occupational groups based on job titles identified subjects with increased risk for respiratory symptoms independent of exposure to VGDF, indicating that also other job-related factors are of importance.