Chronic lower respiratory diseases among demolition and cement workers: a population-based register study

OBJECTIVE To estimate standardised hospitalisation ratios (SHR) for chronic lower respiratory diseases among demolition and cement workers in Denmark, 1995-2009. DESIGN This is a population-based register study on data from 'the Occupational Hospitalisation Register'. SHR of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was calculated for both demolition and cement workers. SETTINGS Register study with data from all hospitals in Denmark. PARTICIPANTS 895 demolition workers and 5633 cement and concrete workers were included in the study and all economical active men were used as reference group. RESULTS We found a statistically significant high SHR for the cement workers, SHR=134 (95% CI 117 to 153). The SHR for demolition workers was 131 (95% CI 87 to 188). CONCLUSIONS We find a higher risk of being hospitalised due to COPD in cement and concrete workers (significant) and demolition workers (insignificant) compared to gainfully employed men.