Assessment of respiratory symptoms among textile industry workers: A cross-sectional comparative study

Abstract

Background: Textile industry workers are chronically exposed to cotton, synthetic, and mixed dusts that predispose them to occupational respiratory diseases including byssinosis. However, regional data regarding respiratory symptom burden among Indian textile workers remain limited. Aim and Objectives: To assess respiratory symptoms among textile factory workers. To document the prevalence and pattern of respiratory symptoms in textile factory workers and grade dyspnoea using the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) scale. To compare respiratory symptom prevalence between textile workers and age-and gender-matched healthy controls. To evaluate the influence of dust type, work department, PPE use, smoking status, and duration of exposure on the prevalence of respiratory symptoms. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Hospital from September 2023 to March 2025. A total of 125 textile factory workers from the Sitapura Industrial Area and 50 age-and gender-matched healthy controls without occupational dust exposure were enrolled. Respiratory symptoms including cough, sputum production, breathlessness, wheezing, chest tightness, and Monday symptoms were assessed using a standardized questionnaire. Dyspnoea severity was graded using the modified Medical Research Council scale. Occupational exposure profile, smoking status, and personal protective equipment use were also recorded. Results: Respiratory symptoms were significantly more prevalent among textile workers than controls, including cough, breathlessness, sputum production, chest tightness, wheezing, and Monday symptoms (all p<0.05). Any respiratory symptom was reported in 83.2% of workers compared to 30% of controls. mMRC grade ≥ 1 dyspnoea was significantly higher among workers. PPE usage was low, while smoking showed significant association with Monday symptoms. Conclusion: Textile workers demonstrated a substantially increased burden of respiratory symptoms suggestive of occupational airway disease and byssinosis, highlighting the need for improved dust control, PPE compliance