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HERO ID
1005283
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Do asbestos-related pleural plaques on HRCT scans cause restrictive impairment in the absence of pulmonary fibrosis
Author(s)
Clin, B; Paris, C; Ameille, J; Brochard, P; Conso, F; Gislard, A; Laurent, F; Letourneux, M; Luc, A; Schorle, E; Pairon, JC
Year
2011
Is Peer Reviewed?
1
Journal
Thorax
ISSN:
0040-6376
EISSN:
1468-3296
Volume
66
Issue
11
Page Numbers
985-991
Language
English
PMID
21724747
DOI
10.1136/thoraxjnl-2011-200172
Web of Science Id
WOS:000296199700012
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
It is uncertain whether isolated pleural plaques cause functional impairment.
OBJECTIVE:
To analyse the relationship between isolated pleural plaques confirmed by CT scanning and lung function in subjects with occupational exposure to asbestos.
METHODS:
The study population consisted of 2743 subjects presenting with no parenchymal interstitial abnormalities on the high-resolution CT (HRCT) scan. Asbestos exposure was evaluated by calculation of an individual cumulative exposure index (CEI). Each subject underwent pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and HRCT scanning. Variables were adjusted for age, smoking status, body mass index, CEI to asbestos and the centres in which the pulmonary function tests were conducted.
RESULTS:
All functional parameters studied were within normal limits for subjects presenting with isolated pleural plaques and for those presenting with no pleuropulmonary abnormalities. However, isolated parietal and/or diaphragmatic pleural plaques were associated with a significant decrease in total lung capacity (TLC) (98.1% predicted in subjects with pleural plaques vs. 101.2% in subjects free of plaques, p=0.0494), forced vital capacity (FVC) (96.6% vs. 100.4%, p<0.001) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) (97.9% vs. 101.9%, p=0.0032). In contrast, no significant relationship was observed between pleural plaques and FEV1/FVC ratio, forced expiratory flow at 25-75% FVC and residual volume. A significant correlation was found between the extent of pleural plaques and the reduction in FVC and TLC, whereas plaque thickness was not related to functional impairment.
CONCLUSIONS:
The results show a relationship between isolated parietal and/or diaphragmatic pleural plaques and a trend towards a restrictive pattern, although the observed decrease in FVC and TLC is unlikely to be of real clinical relevance for the majority of subjects in this series.
Keywords
Health & Safety Science Abstracts; Respiratory function; Asbestos; body mass; Occupational exposure; Smoking; H 1000:Occupational Safety and Health
Tags
IRIS
•
Libby Amphibole Asbestos (Draft, 2011)
Pulmonary Function Search, Sept 2013
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•
OPPT_Asbestos, Part I: Chrysotile_F. Human Health
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•
OPPT_Asbestos, Part I: Chrysotile_Supplemental Search
LitSearch: Sept 2020 (Undated)
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