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HERO ID
2225734
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Impact of body mass index on the detection of radiographic localized pleural thickening
Author(s)
Larson, TC; Franzblau, A; Lewin, M; Goodman, AB; Antao, VC
Year
2014
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Academic Radiology
ISSN:
1076-6332
Volume
21
Issue
1
Page Numbers
3-10
Language
English
PMID
24331259
DOI
10.1016/j.acra.2013.09.014
Web of Science Id
WOS:000329018900002
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES:
Subpleural fat can be difficult to distinguish from localized pleural thickening (LPT), a marker of asbestos exposure, on chest radiographs. The aims of this study were to examine the influence of body mass index (BMI) on the performance of radiograph readers when classifying LPT and to model the risk of false test results with varying BMI.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Subjects (n = 200) were patients being screened or treated for asbestos-related health outcomes. A film chest radiograph, a digital chest radiograph, and a high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) chest scan were collected from each subject. All radiographs were independently read by seven B readers and scored using the International Labour Office system. HRCT scans, read by three experienced thoracic radiologists, served as the gold standard for the presence of LPT. We calculated measures of radiograph reader performance, including sensitivity and specificity, for each image modality. We also used logistic regression to estimate the probability of a false-positive and a false-negative result while controlling for covariates.
RESULTS:
The proportion of false-positive readings correlated with BMI. While controlling for covariates, regression modeling showed the probability of a false-positive result increased with increasing BMI category, younger age, not having pleural calcification, and among subjects not reporting occupational or household contact asbestos exposure.
CONCLUSIONS:
Clinicians should be cautious when evaluating radiographs of younger obese persons for the presence of asbestos-related pleural plaque, particularly in populations having an anticipated low or background prevalence of LPT.
Keywords
Radiograph; pneumoconiosis; predictive values
Tags
IRIS
•
Libby Amphibole Asbestos (Draft, 2011)
OPPT REs
•
OPPT_Asbestos, Part I: Chrysotile_F. Human Health
Total – title/abstract screening
Off topic
•
OPPT_Asbestos, Part I: Chrysotile_Supplemental Search
Vermiculite
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