Assessment of Cardiorespiratory Dysfunctions of Health Professionals above the Age of 40 years by means of Electrocardiography and Spirometry

Abstract

Background: The increasing prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases, particularly chronic bronchitis and
emphysema (COPD), is reflected as a growing concern regarding its diagnosis and control. Moreover medical
personnel working in different medical set up are at greater risk of stress and disease related susceptibility.
Materials and Methods: Descriptive observational study based on ‘convenience sampling done on Health
professional viz. Doctors, Nurses and Technicians attached with Medical College, Kolkata and Ruby General
Hospital, Kolkata between Feb 2015 to May 2016. Overall 50 doctors, 25 nurses and 25 technicians were taken from
Medical College, Kolkata. Pulmonary function tests were done by Spirotech ©, a software after rest for 10-15 min
and briefing about to the technique of FVC (maximum inhalation followed by maximum exhalation) and MVV
(voluntary hyperventilation for 15 seconds) tests were carried out. Spirometric parameters recorded for analysis
were FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEFR, FEF25%-75% and MVV. The controls were selected from relatives of Out Patient
Department (OPD) of Medical College who were non-health professionals. They followed the same procedure as
the cases.
Results: It shows among cases of Medical College, 8 people are hypertensive and 42 people are normotensive,
whereas in control group 5 people are hypertensive and 44 people are normotensive and 1 person had hypotension,
which is not statistically significant (P Value 0.419). It shows among Medical college cases Mean FEV1 / FVC ratio
is 114.50 (SD 12.63) whereas that of control is 103.90 (SD 15.94), which is statistically significant (P Value 0.000).
Conclusion: Medical personnel are more obese particularly in corporate hospital. Medical personnel have similar
blood pressure level as in general population. RBBB pattern is the most predominant QRS abnormality which is
not uncommon. Medical personnel have lower mean FEV1%, FEV1/ FVC and PEFR % than general population.
Predominant spirometry abnormality in our study is restrictive pattern.