Irish farmers appear to have a high prevalence of respiratory problems, a new study has found.

Researchers in Galway were prompted to undertake the study because of recent reports of increasing mortality rates within the Irish farming community and the high prevalence of respiratory problems in farmers in other countries.

The study was based on over 400 farmers who attended the 2013 Ploughing Championship. All agreed to complete a questionnaire and undergo lung function testing.

"The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of respiratory disease among Irish farmers. Remarkably almost two-thirds reported one or more chronic respiratory symptoms," noted Prof Anthony O'Regan, a consultant respiratory physician at University Hospital Galway.

He explained that while most of the farmers were non-smokers (91%), 13% had a pre-existing diagnosis of obstructive lung disease and 12% demonstrated abnormal lung function.

"Unlike non-farming populations, obstruction on lung function testing was not associated with smoking, but rather appeared to occur in those patients with symptoms or a prior diagnosis of asthma or hayfever," Prof O'Regan said.

He pointed out that this is the first study ever undertaken in Ireland to assess the lung health of farmers and it found a previously under-recognised high prevalnce of respiratory symptoms and lung function abnormalities among them.

He noted that ‘no definite occupational exposure' explained the findings and more studies would be needed to investigate this.

Meanwhile, the study also found that 89% of farmers were overweight, with an average body mass index (BMI) of 29, which is borderline obese.

The study was undertaken by researchers from Galway University Hospital and the Saolta University Health Care Group, and the findings are published in the journal, Respiratory Medicine.