Introduction: Cement industry contributes to the major constituent of airborne dust in the atmosphere. This study aims to determine the level of respirable cement dust exposure associated with workers’ respiratory health. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 84 administration workers as the comparative group and 84 manufacturing workers as the exposed group. Method: A set of validated questionnaires was used to obtain some pertained background information as well as respiratory symptoms among the respondents. Personal Air Sampling Pump was used for assessing personal exposure towards cement dust in 8 hours. For lung function performance, a Spirometry test was carried out and Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FENO) test was conducted to assess airway inflammation. Results: The median for personal exposure level to respirable dust of manufacturing workers was 2.68 (5.90) mg/ m3 with range 0.351 to 10.60 mg/m3. The lung function abnormality among the manufacturing workers was FVC% (PR=3.82, 95% CI=1.52-9.58) and FEV1% (PR=5.16, 95% CI=1.65-16.10). Cough was reported to occur the most likely among the manufacturing workers (PR=2.40, 95% CI=1.12-5.15). After adjusting the smoking status, the prevalence of phlegm and cough were 35.7% and 29.8% respectively. 16.7% of manufacturing workers recorded a high level of FENO. The increasing exposure to respirable dust significantly reduces the FVC% of manufacturing workers (r=-0.36, p=0.05). Conclusion: The personal exposure to respirable cement dust increases the risk of lung impairment by highly developing respiratory health symptoms, reducing lung function level and increasing the higher level of airway inflammation among highly exposed workers.
Respiratory symptoms ; Lung function ;

No abstract available.
Lung* ; Needles* ; Pneumothorax* ; Respiratory Function Tests*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the characteristics of the bronchiectasis in diffuse panbronchiolitis using HRCT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 12 HRCT scans and two bronchography of 12 patients with diffuse panbronchiolitis(DPB). According to Akira et al., DPB was classified into four types: small nodules around the end of bronchovascular branchings(CT type I), small nodules in the centrilobular area connected with small branching linear opacities(CT type II), nodules accompanied by ring-shaped or small ductal opacities connected to proximal bronchovascular bundles(CT type III), large cystic opacities accompanied by dilated proximal bronchi(CT type IV). We compared the type and the extent of bronchiectasis, CTtypes of DPB, and pulmonary function test. RESULTS: Bronchiectasis was defined in 12 cases with the tubular type predominantly involving small and medium-sized bronchi. These bronchiectasis involved the proximal bronchi of the centrilobular lesions of DPB. Among eight cases of advanced DPB(CT type III & IV) which extended to both upper lobes, seven showed tubular bronchiectasis at the same area. Cystic bronchiectasis was shown in eight cases predominantly involving right middle lobe(n=7). There was no linear correlation between the values of pulmonary function test and CTtypes of DPB. CONCLUSION: Characteristic feature of the bronchiectasis in DPB is the tubular ectasis predominantly involving the small and medium-sized bronchi. DPB with associated tubular bronchiectasis can involve whole lung field in advanced cases. HRCT is useful not only to depict the findings of DPB but also to demonstrate the extent of lesion.
Bronchi ; Bronchiectasis* ; Bronchography ; Humans ; Lung ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Retrospective Studies

Pulmonary function tests were conducted in 60 male adults and 60 female adults at 20~79 years of age. They showed noevidenee of pulmonary disease on clinical symptoms, X-ray finidngs and past history. We wanted to evaluate the deterioration of pulmonary functional reserve in the aged. The results were as follows: 1) In males, FVC decreased significantly (p <0.01) from 4440+/-271.38 ml in 20~29 year-old subjects to 3090+/-445.75 ml 70~79 year-old subjects. The correlation coefficient with age was-0.6846. 2) In females, FVC decreased significantly (p<0.01) from 2097+/-479.42ml in 20~29 year-old subjects to 2142+/-233.13ml in 70~79 year-old subjects The correlation coefficient woth age was 0.6454. 3) In males, FEV, decreased significantly (p<0.01) from 4005+/-268.26 ml in 20~29 year-old subjects to 2373+/-326.36ml in 10~79 year-old subjects. The correlation coefficient with age was-0.8229. 4) In females, FEV1 decreased significantly (p<0.01) from 2586+/-519.00 ml in 20~29 yrar-old subjects to 1645+/-330.36ml in 70~79 year old subjects The correlation coefficient with age was 0.7013. 5) In males, FEV1/FVC decreased significantly (p<0.01) from 90.17+/-4.90% in 20~29 year-old subjects to 76.72+/-8.13% in 70~79 year-old subjects. The correlation coefficient with age was-0.5595. 6) In females, FEV1/FVC decreased significantly (p<0.01) from 88.66+/-6.58% in 20-29 year-old subjects to 76.80+/-9.32% in 70~79 year-old subjects. The correlation coefficient with age wae-0.4489.
Adult* ; Aging* ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; Male ; Respiratory Function Tests

Indoor air quality (IAQ) has become a major concern nowadays because of the universality of exposure and its potential negative impact on human health especially on children. This study is intended to explore the association between IAQ and the respiratory health among preschool children in urban and suburban area. A cross-sectional comparative study was carried out among Malay preschool children in urban (N= 60, Puchong) and suburban (N=60, Hulu Langat) areas. An indoor air quality assessment was conducted in 12 preschools and 60 houses which include parameters of PM2.5, PM10, VOCs, mold, bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and physical parameters. A set of standardized questionnaire was distributed to obtain respondents’ background information, exposure history and respiratory health symptoms. Spirometry test was carried out and the data obtained were analyzed to determine the lung function of the respondents. There was a significant difference between IAQ in urban and suburban preschools for all parameters measured (p<0.05). Most of the pollutants were significantly associated with respiratory health symptoms. There was a significant association between the level of indoor pollutants with the lung function abnormalities among the respondents. Even though this study is the first to take Gram-negative bacteria as an indoor air pollutant, the finding also shows that there is a significant association between exposure of Gram-negative bacteria with lung function impairment and higher reported respiratory symptoms among the respondents. The finding concluded that exposures to indoor air pollutants, especially PM2.5 increases the risk of getting lung function abnormality and respiratory health symptoms among respondents.
Indoor air quality ; mold ; bacteria ; lung function ; respiratory health symptoms

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of small airway dysfunction in patients with occupational asthma, and explore the significance of small airway function indicators in the evaluation of occupational asthma. Methods: A total of 53 patients with occupational asthma diagnosed in our hospital from December 2008 to December 2018 were retrospectively collected in May 2020. 55 healthy people were included as the control group (NC group) and 58 bronchial asthma patients as BA group. The general information and baseline pulmonary function (FVC、FEV(1)、PEF) of the subjects were collected, the pulmonary function were reexamined and small airway function (FEF(25%)pred、FEF(50%)pred、FEF(75%)pred、MMEF(25-75%)pred) were tested at the time of diagnosis and remission. Results: There was no significant difference in pulmonary function and asthma control score (ACT) between OA group and BA group (P=0.356, 0.610, 0.364, 0.430, 0.533, 0.759, 0.426, 0.632) . The incidence of small airway dysfunction in OA group was 77.4%. The indexes of small airway function (FEF(25%)pred, FEF(50%)pred, FEF(75%)pred, MMEF(25-75%)pred) were lower than those in the NC group (P<0.001) . The small airway function indexes of mild and moderate OA patients in remission stage were improved (P=0.029, 0.182) , but the abnormal rate of small airway function was still 62.3%, and there was no significant difference compared with those at the time of diagnosis (P=0.091) . Small airway function (MMEF(25-75%)pred, FEF(50%)pred) was correlated with large airway function (FEV(1)% pred, PEF% pred) (P=0.001) . Conclusion: Small airway dysfunction often occurs and persists in patients with occupational asthma, and has a certain correlation with large airway function indexes.
Asthma, Occupational ; Humans ; Lung ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Retrospective Studies

Although lung transplantation has been accepted as the most effective treatment for end-stage pulmonary emphysema, it is not only very hard to find a donor but also to obtain a relatively healthy lung. Furthermore, it is more difficult to match the size of the allograft, considering the height, the weight, and the size of the thoracic cage. The single lung transplatations for the end-stage emphysema have been more commonly performed than bilateral lung transplantation due to the shortage of the donors and the long-term survival rate of the single lung transplantations has shown no reasonable difference compared with that of the bilateral lung transplantations. Recently, the functional criteria based on a comparison of predicted TLCs(Total Lung Capacities) of the donor and recipient according to height, sex and age, have been accepted as a more suitable.
Allografts ; Emphysema* ; Humans ; Lung Transplantation* ; Lung* ; Pulmonary Emphysema ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Survival Rate ; Tissue Donors

PURPOSE: To get the normal predicted value of airway resistance in Korean primary school-aged children by using flow interrupter technique which is simple and easy enough to be applicable even to young children. METHODS: Among all the children of one primary school, we selected 964 (Male 469, Female 495). Excluded children were out of normal range in growth with Korean standard and/or history and/or symptom and sign of airway diseases. One medical doctor, well trained to the Microlab 4000 (Micromedical Co. England) educated the children before check and carried out all the procedure. Rint (Airway resistnace by interrupter technique) was checked 5 times. After exclusion of both highest and lowest values, we got the average of remaining 3 values as Rint (in both inspiratory and expiratory phases). We got mean, standard deviation, regression equation, correlation coefficient in every age, height group, weight group, and chest circumference group in both sex. RESULTS: 1) Age ranged from 6 to 11 years. 6-year-old boys' Rint were 0.56+/-0.15 kPa.l-1.s and 0.56+/-0.15 kPa.l-1.s in inspiratory and expiratory phase, respectively. They were 0.55+/-0.16 kPa.l-1.s and 0.55+/-0.18 kPa.l-1.s in girls. The Rint decreased as the children getting older. 2) Height ranged from 105 to 160 cm. Rint of boys from 111 to 115 cm in height were 0.54+/-0.11 kPa.l-1.s and 0.55+/-0.15 kPa.l-1.s in inspiratory and expiratory phase, respectively. They were 0.56+/-0.18 kPa.l-1.s and 0.56+/-0.19 kPa.l-1.s in girls. The Rint decreased as the children getting taller. 3) Weight ranged from 16 to 57 kg. Rint of boys from 16 to 18 kg in weight were 0.52+/-0.07 kPa.l-1.s and 0.59+/-0.07 kPa.l-1.s in inspiratory and expiratory phase, respectively. They were 0.47+/-0.15 kPa.l-1.s and 0.43+/-0.14 kPa.l-1.s in girls. The Rint decreased as the children getting heavier. 4) Chest circumference ranged from 50 to 85 cm. Rint of boys from 50 to 55 cm in chest circumference were 0.49+/-0.12 kPa.l-1.s and 0.46+/-0.13 kPa.l-1.s in inspiratory and expiratory phase, respectively. They were 0.53+/-0.16 kPa.l-1.s and 0.52+/-0.17 kPa.l-1.s in girls. The Rint decreased as the children's chest circumference increase. 5) We got regression equations and correlation coefficient by age, height, weight, and chest circumference in both boys and girls and in both inspiratory and expiratory phases. Correlation was best with height but correlation coefficient was less than 0.45. CONCLUSION: We got the normal predicted value of airway resistance by flow interrupter technique. It can be used in evaluating lung condition, progression of lung disease, and effectiveness of drugs in lung disease.
Airway Resistance* ; Child* ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Reference Values ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Thorax

Approximately 100 drugs have been reported to affect the lungs adversely. Among these, pulmonary toxicity caused by antieneoplastic agent is being recognized more frequently. Cyclophosphamide is an immunosuppressive alkylating agent used for the treatment of a wide variety of malignant and nonmalignant diseases. The incidence of pulmonary toxicity is probably less than 1 percent The first case was reported in 1967. Since then, more than 20 well-documented cases of pulmonary toxicity associated with cyclophosphamide have been reported in the literature. In Korea, three patients were identified with cyclophosphamide-induced lung disease. The typical features of toxicity include dyspnea, fever, cough, new parenchymal infiltrates, gas exchangs abnormalities on pulmonary function tests, and pleural thickening on chest roentgenogram. The best approach to management is early diagnosis, discontinuation of the offending drug and administration of corticosteroid therapy. Recently, we experienced a case of diffuse alveolar damage induced by cyclophosphamide. The patient presented with early-onset pulmonary toxicity and died of repiratory failure despite early use of corticosteroid.
Cough ; Cyclophosphamide* ; Dyspnea ; Early Diagnosis ; Fever ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Thorax

This study was performed to assist in the prediction of the clinical tolerance of patients with lung cancer to irradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The changes in lung function of 26 patients with lung carcinomas, who had received radiation with curative intent, or postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy, were prospectively studied. Their pulmonary function tests were conducted at presentation, and then at 2 weeks, 2 months, and 6 months, following radiotherapy. RESULTS: When the parameters of postirradiation pulmonary functions (2 weeks, 2 months and 6 months) were compared with the preirradiation baseline data, there was a statistically significant decrease in FEF25~75% at 2 months, but the rest of the parameters showed no significant change following irradiation. However, when the baseline lung function was compared with the lung function at the lowest FVC, in patients with curative radiotherapy, there was a statistically significant decrease of about 10% in the FEV1 and DLCO. CONCLUSION: Preirradiation assessment of pulmonary functions, particularly the FEV1 and DLCO will be useful for the prediction of the clinical tolerance to irradiation.
Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Prospective Studies ; Radiotherapy ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Respiratory Function Tests