Background: Industrial activities may contribute to airway diseases, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, which are major respiratory health problems with geographically variable prevalence. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of COPD and asthma and to examine factors associated with impaired pulmonary function among workers and residents of the Navanakorn Industrial Zone, Thailand. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed from September 2025 to January 2026 among adults aged ≥18 years who were employed in or residing within the Navanakorn Industrial Zone. Data collected included demographic characteristics, comorbidities, respiratory symptoms, chest radiographic findings, and spirometric parameters, including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and bronchodilator responsiveness (BDR). COPD was defined as the presence of respiratory symptoms in conjunction with at least one risk factor and a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC < 70%. Asthma was defined by the presence of respiratory symptoms with a positive BDR. Results: Among the 373 participants (65.4% female; mean age 55.0 ± 13.6 years), the prevalence of COPD and asthma was 4.3% and 5.4%, respectively. Abnormal chest radiographic findings were present in 8.6%, while abnormal pulmonary function was identified in 30.8%. Lung function abnormalities included airway obstruction (12.9%), restrictive patterns (9.7%), mixed defects (2.1%), and small airway disease (6.2%). A positive BDR was detected in 2.4% of participants. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated older age, male sex, a history of asthma, and the presence of chest tightness as independent predictors of abnormal lung function. Conclusions: COPD and asthma were prevalent among individuals working or living in the industrial zone, and abnormal pulmonary function—particularly obstructive defects—was common. Older age, male sex, a history of asthma, and respiratory symptoms were associated with a greater risk of lung function impairment, underscoring the importance of targeted surveillance and preventive strategies in industrial environments.
Saiphoklang et al. (Thu,) studied this question.