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HERO ID
2078962
Reference Type
Journal Article
Subtype
Abstract
Title
Continued progression of asbestos-related respiratory disease after more than 15 years of non-exposure
Author(s)
Bar-Shai, A; Tiran, B; Topilsky, M; Greif, J; Fomin, I; Schwarz, Y
Year
2012
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
IMAJ
ISSN:
1565-1088
Volume
14
Issue
9
Page Numbers
560-565
Language
English
PMID
23101420
Web of Science Id
WOS:000309624900010
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Most studies on asbestos-related diseases describe the associations between exposure and disease and the factors influencing that association. It is recognized that there is a long latency period between exposure and disease, but the health status of affected individuals after long-term non-exposure is uncertain.
OBJECTIVES:
To describe the changes in pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and computed tomographic imaging of the thorax over a 15 year period after cessation of exposure to asbestos in a cohort of Israeli power plant workers.
METHODS:
Israeli power plant workers whose PFTs and thoracic CT imaging between 1993 and 1998 revealed asbestos-related disease underwent a second clinical, functional and imaging evaluation up to 15 years later. The two sets of results were compared.
RESULTS:
Of the original cohort of 59 males, 35 were still alive and 18 of them agreed to take part in the current study. The mean length of their exposure was 30 +/- 10.06 years (range 7-43 years). Comparison of the initial and follow-up examination findings revealed a significant increase in calcification of the pleural plaques (from 37% to 66%, P = 0.008) and a deterioration in PFT results (P= 0.04). Of the 24 men who died, malignant disease was the cause of death in 53%, mostly in sites other than the respiratory system.
CONCLUSIONS:
PFTs declined and CT findings worsened in subjects who were formerly exposed to asbestos and had not been exposed to it for over a decade. Continued monitoring of individuals exposed to asbestos, even decades after the cessation of exposure, is recommended.
Keywords
asbestos; pleural diseases; pulmonary function test (PFT); occupational lung disease; power plant workers
Tags
IRIS
•
Libby Amphibole Asbestos (Draft, 2011)
Pulmonary Function Search, Sept 2013
Database Search
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Miscellaneous reasons (e.g. duplicate, review)
OPPT REs
•
OPPT_Asbestos, Part I: Chrysotile_F. Human Health
Total – title/abstract screening
On topic
Peer review
Primary source
On topic - additional tags for titles/abstracts
Human hazard ID
•
OPPT_Asbestos, Part I: Chrysotile_Supplemental Search
LitSearch: Sept 2020 (Undated)
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