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Lung function not affected by asbestos exposure in workers with normal Computed Tomography scan
Author(s) -
Schikowsky Christian,
Felten Michael K.,
Eisenhawer Christian,
Das Marco,
Kraus Thomas
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.22717
Subject(s) - medicine , asbestos , dlco , pulmonary function testing , lung , asbestosis , pulmonary fibrosis , lung function , radiology , cardiology , diffusing capacity , materials science , metallurgy
Background: It has been suggested that asbestos exposure affects lung function, even in the absence of asbestos‐related pulmonary interstitial or pleural changes or emphysema. Methods: We analyzed associations between well‐known asbestos‐related risk factors, such as individual cumulative asbestos exposure, and key lung function parameters in formerly asbestos‐exposed power industry workers ( N = 207) with normal CT scans. For this, we excluded participants with emphysema, fibrosis, pleural changes, or any combination of these. Results: The lung function parameters of FVC, FEV1, DLCO/VA, and airway resistance were significantly associated with the burden of smoking, BMI and years since end of exposure (only DLCO/VA). However, they were not affected by factors directly related to amount (eg, cumulative exposure) or duration of asbestos exposure. Conclusions: Our results confirm the well‐known correlation between lung function, smoking habits, and BMI. However, we found no significant association between lung function and asbestos exposure.