Lung Function Decline in Farm and Nonfarm Rural Residents of Saskatchewan

Objective: This study aims to assess the annual changes in lung function among farm and nonfarm adult residences in rural Saskatchewan, Canada. Methods: Data from the Saskatchewan Rural Health Study survey (2010 to 2014) among 724 adults were used. Results: For forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) measurements, estimates of annual decline (in milliliters) were highest in older age male (65+ years) (Mean, SD) (-42.63, 21.16); and among old heavy smokers (-57.79, 24.30). Estimates of annual decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) were highest in current smokers without the use of natural gas (-25.78, 14.78) and among old heavy smokers (-33.88, 20.28). Living on a farm is associated with decreased FEV(1)and FVC, but not statistically significant by sex and age. Conclusions: A complex mix of personal and contextual factors may affect these estimates.