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Background <p>The aim of this study was to objectively evaluate the presence of allergic reactions and pulmonary function in individuals working in small container-like confined spaces in Malatya following the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes, and to examine their associations with physical activity, sleep quality, grip strength, and quality of life. Given the well-established association between respiratory impairment and systemic effects on peripheral muscle strength, sleep architecture, and functional capacity, grip strength, sleep quality (PSQI), and physical activity (IPAQ-SF) were included as secondary outcomes to capture the broader functional burden of working in confined environments.</p> Methods <p>This cross-sectional and descriptive study included 90 volunteers (aged 25–55 years) working in container-like spaces for at least two years. Pulmonary function was assessed using portable spirometry (FEV₁, FVC, FEV₁/FVC) according to the 2019 ATS/ERS guidelines, performed by trained physiotherapists. Physical activity was evaluated with IPAQ-SF, sleep quality with PSQI, quality of life with SF-36, and grip strength with a digital dynamometer. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of respiratory function, controlling for age, smoking status, BMI, height, grip strength, and fatigue.</p> Results <p>Of 90 participants (92.2% male, mean age 39.0 ± 9.5 years), FEV₁% (68.9 ± 12.4) and FVC% (64.1 ± 11.3) were relatively low with a preserved FEV₁/FVC ratio (0.86 ± 0.06). mMRC dyspnea grade was significantly associated with FEV₁% and FVC% (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Multiple linear regression revealed that fatigue was a significant independent predictor of FEV₁% (β=−0.945, <i>p</i> = 0.044) and FEV₁ (L) (β=−0.053, <i>p</i> = 0.029) after controlling for confounders. Grip strength showed a positive trend with FEV₁% (β = 0.282, <i>p</i> = 0.082) and FVC% (β = 0.242, <i>p</i> = 0.092) that approached significance, consistent with the physiological link between respiratory and peripheral muscle function. The overall regression models were statistically significant (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.01 for all models).</p> Conclusion <p>Individuals working in small container-like spaces showed a tendency toward reduced ventilatory capacity without overt obstruction, and dyspnea was strongly associated with objective respiratory function loss. Fatigue emerged as an independent predictor of respiratory function. These findings highlight the importance of early screening strategies and further research with longitudinal designs, environmental measurements, and control groups to establish causal relationships.</p>

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Respiratory function, allergic reactions and quality of life in individuals working in container-like confined spaces after the 2023 Türkiye earthquakes: a cross-sectional study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年8月5日

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  • Ahmet Utus,
  • Semiramis Ozyilmaz,
  • Engin Burak Selçuk,
  • Murat Kılıç,
  • Talat Kılıç,
  • Muhammed Furkan Arpacı,
  • İpek Balikci Cicek

摘要

Background

The aim of this study was to objectively evaluate the presence of allergic reactions and pulmonary function in individuals working in small container-like confined spaces in Malatya following the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes, and to examine their associations with physical activity, sleep quality, grip strength, and quality of life. Given the well-established association between respiratory impairment and systemic effects on peripheral muscle strength, sleep architecture, and functional capacity, grip strength, sleep quality (PSQI), and physical activity (IPAQ-SF) were included as secondary outcomes to capture the broader functional burden of working in confined environments.

Methods

This cross-sectional and descriptive study included 90 volunteers (aged 25–55 years) working in container-like spaces for at least two years. Pulmonary function was assessed using portable spirometry (FEV₁, FVC, FEV₁/FVC) according to the 2019 ATS/ERS guidelines, performed by trained physiotherapists. Physical activity was evaluated with IPAQ-SF, sleep quality with PSQI, quality of life with SF-36, and grip strength with a digital dynamometer. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of respiratory function, controlling for age, smoking status, BMI, height, grip strength, and fatigue.

Results

Of 90 participants (92.2% male, mean age 39.0 ± 9.5 years), FEV₁% (68.9 ± 12.4) and FVC% (64.1 ± 11.3) were relatively low with a preserved FEV₁/FVC ratio (0.86 ± 0.06). mMRC dyspnea grade was significantly associated with FEV₁% and FVC% (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression revealed that fatigue was a significant independent predictor of FEV₁% (β=−0.945, p = 0.044) and FEV₁ (L) (β=−0.053, p = 0.029) after controlling for confounders. Grip strength showed a positive trend with FEV₁% (β = 0.282, p = 0.082) and FVC% (β = 0.242, p = 0.092) that approached significance, consistent with the physiological link between respiratory and peripheral muscle function. The overall regression models were statistically significant (p < 0.01 for all models).

Conclusion

Individuals working in small container-like spaces showed a tendency toward reduced ventilatory capacity without overt obstruction, and dyspnea was strongly associated with objective respiratory function loss. Fatigue emerged as an independent predictor of respiratory function. These findings highlight the importance of early screening strategies and further research with longitudinal designs, environmental measurements, and control groups to establish causal relationships.