Association between vigorous-intensity work activities and cough or expectoration symptoms in individuals with mild to moderate COPD: a cross-sectional study using the NHANES database
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Structured exercise alleviates respiratory symptoms in COPD, but the effects of occupational physical activity on cough or expectoration in mild-to-moderate COPD remain unclear.
METHOD
This cross-sectional study used NHANES 2007-2012 data. Mild-to-moderate COPD was defined as post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC <0.70 and FEV1 ≥ 50% predicted. Vigorous-intensity work was self-reported. The primary outcome was cough or expectoration (either symptom for ≥3 months/year). Survey-weighted logistic regression and restricted cubic splines examined associations, adjusting for age, gender, BMI, race, education, income, smoking, passive smoking, exercise, sleep disorders, moderate work activity, asthma, and hypertension (Model-4).
RESULT
Among 723 participants with mild-to-moderate COPD, 115 reported symptoms. After full adjustment, vigorous-intensity work was associated with higher odds of cough or expectoration (OR = 2.43, 95% CI: 1.41-4.22, P = 0.002). Similar associations were observed for cough (OR = 3.13) and expectoration (OR = 2.77), but not for wheezing or dyspnea. RCS curves confirmed a dose-response relationship between longer vigorous work duration and increased symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS
In mild-to-moderate COPD, self-reported vigorous-intensity work is associated with cough or expectoration symptoms, with longer exposure linked to greater likelihood.
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