RAJIV GANDHI UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES

KARNATAKA, BANGALORE

ANNEXURE - 2

PROFORMA FOR REGISTRATION OF TOPIC FOR DISSERTATION

1 / Name of the candidate and
Address / Dr. PRAMILA T.
NO. 17, ‘VASUKANNA NILAYA’,
1ST MAIN, 5TH CROSS, BYATARAYANAPURA,
MYSORE ROAD,
BANGALORE- 560026.
2 / Name of the institution / Bangalore Medical College, Bangalore.
3 / Course of study and subject / M.D. in Physiology.
4 / Date of admission to the course / 12-06-2008.
5 / Title of topic / STUDY OF PULMANARY FUNCTION TESTS IN TRAFFIC POLICEMEN EXPOSED TO AUTOMOBILE POLLUTION IN BANGALORE CITY.
6
7
8
/ Brief resume of the intended work:
6.1 Need for study:
Airborne dust plays a major part in the overall atmospheric pollution and motor vehicle emissions constitute the most significant source of ultra particles in an urban environment. The smoke emitted by these vehicles is the mixtures of particles and gaseous chemicals of varying physical and chemical properties. When inhaled, these cause damage to the airways and the lungs1.
The prevalence of the obstructive, restrictive and mixed type of functional impairment of the lung has been found to have direct relationship with the dust concentration and duration of exposure. Prolonged exposure to dust can result in chronic bronchial problems2.
Road traffic produce volatile organic compounds, suspended particulate matter (SPM), Oxides of sulphur (SOx), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and carbon monoxide (CO), which makes adverse health effects on the exposed population2.
Traffic related air pollution is an occupational health hazard to individuals who perform physical labour close to traffic1. Traffic police personnel are posted at various traffic junctions through which maximum number of vehicles pass and they are more prone to develop health hazards of automobile exhausts on respiratory system3.
Bangalore is the one of the rapidly growing cities of India. The growth is associated with an enormous increase in vehicular traffic emitting exhausts and polluting the atmosphere.
Investigations of the respiratory health effects from vehicular pollution exposures are necessary in order to predict the risk factors that may cause an asthmatic response2.
Since exposure to automobile pollution is a proposed marker for development of acute or chronic respiratory disease, the potential health risks in traffic policeman can be minimized by providing them with the information about hazards of automobile pollution and about the protective measures like provision of mask/protective devices at individual level or change of work atmosphere when feasible at higher level. Periodic retesting can detect pulmonary disease in the earliest stages when corrective measures are more likely to be beneficial.
6.2 Review of literature:
·  Pulmonary function was studied in 629 traffic policemen and 303-control group by spirometry. The mean value of FEV1, and FVC of the traffic police were significantly lower than the control group4.
·  Lung function was studied in 665 male traffic police constables by FVC. 0.9% of the constable was found to be having severe restrictive ventilatory defect, 5.9% having moderate and 18.6% having mild degree of respiratory restriction3.
·  The lung functions was studied in 78 male traffic police & 60 male non traffic police in Bangkok, as well as 68 male general police in Ayutthaya province, a rural area in Thailand and it was found that the mean level of forced expiratory volume in 1 sec and maximal expiratory flow rate in 25% of vital capacity (V25) were significantly lower in Bangkok police than in ayutthaya police5.
·  The lung function was studied in 60 traffic police policeman by Spiro metric analysis, which showed significant variation in peak expiratory, flow rate (PEFR), forced expiratory volume in one sec (FEV1), and forced vital capacity (FVC) as against the control group of population2.
·  The pulmonary function was studied on 290 traffic policemen by a 5 years follow up on FEV1 & FVC. The follow-up on FEV1 & FVC did not show an accelerated decline in traffic police workers suggesting the need to follow up this cohort evaluating respiratory function for a longer period of time6.
6.3 Objectives of the study:
·  To compare the pulmonary function tests in traffic policemen and control group and thereby test the hypothesis that Decline in pulmonary function tests is observed in traffic policemen.
·  To test whether pulmonary function is significantly affected by duration of exposure.
Materials and methods:
7.1 Source of data:
The intended study is a case control study wherein the Data will be collected from the traffic policemen who are working in traffic junctions in Bangalore city who are selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Age, sex and BMI matched normal healthy subjects will be selected from general population as controls. The sample size being 100(50 cases and 50 controls).
7.2 Method of collection of data:
Data will be collected using computerized Spiro meter in the department of physiology. FVC, FEV1, PEFR, FEV1/FVC, FEF 25-75%, will be recorded in both the cases and control groups.
Inclusion criteria:
·  Healthy nonsmoker traffic policemen in the age group of 25-55 years who are working in traffic junctions for more than 1 year are included for the study.
·  Healthy nonsmoker control population of same age, sex and BMI are selected from general population and included for the study.
Exclusion criteria:
·  Subjects with gross clinical abnormalities of the vertebral column, thoracic cage, neuromuscular diseases.
·  Known cases of gross anaemia, diabetes mellitus, obesity, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, ischaemic heart diseases, malignancy.
·  Drug addicts, cigarette smokers, tobacco chewers.
·  Subjects who had undergone vigorous exercise training. History abdominal or chest surgery.
·  Non co-operation or inability to perform pulmonary function tests.
·  Not willing to participate in the study.
Subjects will be selected by simple random method based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Written informed consent is taken. General physical examination is done. Computerized Spiro meter is used to measure FVC, FEV1, PEFR, FEV1/FVC, FEF 25-75%, in both the cases and controls. Results are compared using appropriate statistical methods like mean, median, standard deviation, chi square test, student t test.
7.3 Does the study require any investigation or intervention to be conducted on
Patients or animals? If so, describe briefly.
·  Study is based on measuring various parameters of pulmonary function tests using computerized Spiro meter, which is a non-invasive method.
7.4 Has ethical clearance been obtained from your institution in case of 7.3?
Yes.
List of references:
1.  Jafary ZA, Faridi IA, Qureshi HJ. Effects of airborne dust on lung function of the exposed subjects. Pak J Physiol. 2007; 3(1): 30-34
2.  Ingle ST, Pachpande BG, Wagh ND, Patel VS, Attarde SB. Exposure to vehicular pollution and respiratory impairment of traffic policemen in Jalgaon city, India. Industrial Health 2005; 43:656-662
3.  Thippanna G, Lakhtakia S. Spirometric evaluation of traffic police personnel exposed to automobile pollution in twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Ind.J.Tub. 1999; 46:129
4.  Wongsurakiat P, Maranetra KN, Nana A, Naruman C, Aksornint M, Chalermsanyakorn T. Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function of traffic policemen in Thonburi. J Med Assoc Thai. 1999 May; 82(5): 435-43
5.  Karita K, Yano E, Jinsart W, Boudoung D, Tamura K. Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function among traffic police in Bangkok, Thailand. Arch Environ Health. 2001 Sep-Oct;56(5):467-70
6.  DeToni A, Larese Filon F, Finotto L. Respiratory diseases in a group of traffic police officers: results of a 5-year follow-up. G Ital Med Lav Ergon. 2005Jul-Sep;27(3):380-2
7.  Calabrese EJ; High-risk population group. Textbook of Occupational medicine; 3rd edition; editors: -Carl Z, Dickerson OB, Edward PH; 1994:802
8.  Baxter PJ; Gases. Textbook of Hunters diseases of occupations; 9th edition; editors: -Adams PH, Tarching AW, Cockcroft A, Harrington JM; 2000: 125
9 / Signature of the Candidate
10 / Remarks of the Guide
11 / Name and Designation of
(in block letters)
11.1 Guide
11.2 Signature
11.3 Co-guide (if any)
11.4 Signature
11.5 Head of the Department
11.6 Signature / Dr B.GIRIJA
ASSISSTANT PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF PHYSIOLOGY,
BANGALORE MEDICAL COLLEGE AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE, BANGALORE.
Dr. SHIVAKUMAR VEERAIAH
PROFESSOR AND HEAD,
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSIOLOGY,
BANGALORE MEDICAL COLLEGE, BANGALORE.
12 / 12.1 Remarks of Chairman
and Principal
12.2 Signature