Lung Function Profiles among Individuals with Nonmalignant Asbestos-related Disorders.
10.1016/j.shaw.2014.07.007
- Author:
Eun Kee PARK
1
;
Deborah H YATES
;
Donald WILSON
Author Information
1. Department of Medical Humanities and Social Medicine, College of Medicine, Kosin University, Busan, Korea. ekpark@kosin.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
asbestos;
asbestosis;
diffuse pleural thickening;
pleural plaques;
lung function
- MeSH:
Asbestos;
Asbestosis;
Australia;
Carbon Monoxide;
Forced Expiratory Volume;
Humans;
Inhalation;
Lung*;
Male;
New South Wales;
Smoke;
Smoking;
Vital Capacity;
Workers' Compensation
- From:Safety and Health at Work
2014;5(4):234-237
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Inhalation of asbestos fibers can lead to adverse health effects on the lungs. This study describes lung function profiles among individuals with nonmalignant asbestos-related disorders (ARDs). METHODS: The study population was from the Workers' Compensation (Dust Diseases) Board of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Lung function measurements were conducted in males with asbestosis (n = 26), diffuse pleural thickening (DPT; n = 129), asbestosis and DPT (n = 14), pleural plaques only (n = 160) and also apparently healthy individuals with a history of asbestos exposure (n = 248). Standardized spirometric and single-breath diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) measurements were used. RESULTS: Mean age [standard deviation (SD)] was 66.7 (10.3) years for all participants. Current and ex-smokers among all participants comprised about 9.0% and 54.8%, respectively. Median pack-years (SD) of smoking for ex- and current-smokers were 22.7 (19.9). Overall 222 participants (38.6%) and 139 participants (24.2%) had forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) measurements < 80% predicted, and 217 participants (37.7%) had FEV1/FVC results < 70%. A total of 249 individuals (43.8%) had DLco values < 80% predicted and only 75 (13.2%) had DLco/VA results < 80% predicted. A total of 147 participants (25.6%) had peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurements < 80% predicted. The presence of ARDs lowered the lung function measurements compared to those of healthy individuals exposed to asbestos. CONCLUSION: Lung function measurement differs in individuals with different ARDs. Monitoring of lung function among asbestos-exposed populations is a simple means of facilitating earlier interventions.
